Sports
Kyle Busch’s Name Removed From NASCAR Cup Series Points Standings After His Sudden Death
Kyle Busch‘s name no longer appears in the current standings for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season after his death last week at age 41.
The highly accomplished NASCAR racer — who died after a severe case of pneumonia progressed into sepsis, according to his family — will no longer be counted in as part of the 2026 season as his loved ones continue to grieve.
Fox Sports motorsports reporter Bob Pockrass wrote in a post shared Wednesday, May 27, on X that the decision was made “following conversations with RCR [the team Richard Childress Racing] about how to handle Busch’s death.”
Pockrass added that NASCAR and his team wanted to be “empathetic of the impact to those who would see his name in the standings.”
His name no longer appears on the 2026 Cup Series Standings & Stats website.
In the days leading up to Busch’s shocking death, he continued to race despite being ill.
As seen in video footage from the May 10 race at Watkins Glen, New York, Busch can be heard saying on his radio, “Can somebody try to find Bill Heisel? He’s the kindred doctor guy. Tell him I need him after the race, please.”
“I’m gonna need a shot,” Busch added.
During the TV broadcast, it was reported that Busch had been struggling with a sinus cold.
According to ESPN, his cold seemed to be intensified by the elevation changes in Upstate New York. He reportedly continued to race despite feeling under the weather and finished in eighth place.
Eleven days later on May 21, Busch’s family issued a statement on his X account explaining that he had been hospitalized.
“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization,” the X post said. “He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”
Hours later, his family confirmed that he had died.
It has since been reported that Busch was coughing up blood before he was hospitalized. He was scheduled to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on May 22 and in the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24.
