India, May 22 -- Samantha Busch and her kids are devastated after the death of NASCAR legend and the love of her life - Kyle Busch. The 41-year-old, one of the most successful drivers inthe auto racing company's history, passed away after being hospitalized for 'severe illness' earlier in the day.

The Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR confirmed the news Thursday in a joint statement. No official cause of death was released. Earlier in the day, Busch's family had announced that the two-time Cup Series champion was hospitalized with a 'severe illness', forcing him to withdraw from this weekend's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

In the statement released Thursday, NASCAR described Busch as one of the defining tale...