Nascar champion Kyle Busch dies aged 41

The sudden passing of the Nascar legend, who has won more races than any other driver in the organisation, was announced in a joint statement on Thursday by the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and Nascar.

"A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation," the statement reads. "He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans. ... Nascar lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon."

"Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records in national series wins, won championships at Nascar's highest level and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series," the statement said.