OANN posts Kyle Busch passing at 41

One America News Network posted on X on May 22 about Kyle Busch, after NASCAR and Busch’s family had already announced that the two-time Cup Series champion died a day earlier. NASCAR said Busch died on May 21 at age 41 after being hospitalized with what his family called a “severe illness.” NASCAR’s statement said the announcement came jointly from the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR. The post by OANN appears to have echoed that news rather than broken it first. ### When was Kyle Busch’s death announced? May 21 is the date NASCAR gave for Busch’s death. NASCAR.com published a report that day saying Busch “died Thursday” and was 41. (x.com) The same report said his team had indicated earlier Thursday that he had been hospitalized with a severe illness. The NASCAR driver page for Busch was also updated to state that he “passed away suddenly on May 21, 2026, following a severe illness.” That page lists his date of birth as May 2, 1985, which matches his age as 41. (nascar.com) ### What exactly did NASCAR and Busch’s team say? The joint statement from the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR said they were “devastated to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch.” The statement asked for privacy for the family and said, “Further updates will be shared as appropriate.” (nascar.com 1) (nascar.com 2) NASCAR’s report named Busch’s immediate survivors and described him as a future Hall of Famer. It also said his death was announced with the backing of his family, the sanctioning body and his current Cup team, Richard Childress Racing. ### Why did the OANN post draw attention? OANN posted on May 22, one day after NASCAR’s announcement, and the post circulated on X because Busch remained an active and prominent NASCAR driver at the time of his death. (nascar.com) NASCAR’s official driver page still listed him as part of Richard Childress Racing’s 2026 season, with 12 races run and one pole this year. Kyle Busch was not a retired historical figure being remembered on an anniversary. NASCAR’s official materials show he was in his 22nd full-time season in the Cup Series when he died. ### What made Busch such a major figure in NASCAR? NASCAR said Busch won Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019 and finished his career with 63 Cup wins, ninth on the all-time list. (x.com) The sanctioning body also said he holds the national-series records for wins in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with 102 and the Craftsman Truck Series with 69. (nascar.com) The NASCAR driver page says Busch compiled 234 victories across NASCAR’s three national series. NASCAR’s obituary said he raced for Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing and then Richard Childress Racing, and that his fan base became known as “Rowdy Nation.” ### What comes next from here? (nascar.com) The joint statement from the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR did not give funeral details or a cause of death. It said only that further updates would be shared later. NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing and Busch’s official channels are the places to watch for the next formal notices, including memorial arrangements or competition-related tributes. (nascar.com)