Busch's wife, Samantha, and kids thank fans for their support following his unexpected death at 41

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Samantha Busch, the wife of two-time NASCAR champion Kyle Busch, who died last month at the age of 41, has issued a statement on behalf of her family to thank fans for their support.

In an Instagram post on Friday, Samantha and the Busch's children, Brexton and Lennix, wrote: “The prayers, messages, flowers, meals, hugs, and countless acts of kindness have carried us through the most heartbreaking days of our lives. While our hearts are absolutely shattered, we have felt God’s presence and arms wrapped tightly around us through each and every one of you.”

Busch died May 21 after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming complications, according to a statement released by the family soon after his death. According to his death certificate, Busch had pneumonia for “days to weeks.”

Busch's unexpected death devastated the NASCAR community.

He was thought to have had a sinus cold while racing at Watkins Glen on May 10 and radioed in to his team saying that he needed a “shot” from a doctor after the race. He continued racing and won the Truck Series race at Dover before finishing 17th in the All-Star race, five days before his death.

Busch also attended the opening of a go-kart track with 11-year-old Brexton days before his death.

Friday's message on social media was the first statement from his wife and children.

“The love that has surrounded our family during this unimaginable time has brought comfort in the middle of so much pain,” Samantha Busch wrote. "Knowing the impact Kyle had on others and seeing how they are honoring him through each unique act of generosity is a true testament to how special Kyle is to so many people. There are moments when the weight of this loss feels impossible to carry, yet time and time again God, through you all, has shown us we are not alone.

“From family and friends to fans and complete strangers, thank you for showing up for us. Thank you for loving our family so well. Thank you for loving Kyle. Thank you for honoring him. We may never find the words to fully express what your support has meant to us, but please know that we are deeply grateful.”

Busch won Cup Series championships championships in 2015 and 2019 for Joe Gibbs Racing. The younger brother of NASCAR driver Kurt Bush, Kyle Busch won a record 234 combined races across NASCAR’s top three national series. He had 63 Cup victories and added 102 O’Reilly Auto Parts wins and 69 Trucks victories.

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FILE - Kyle Busch carries his son, Brexton, as his wife, Samantha, left, watches before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)

FILE - Kyle Busch, left, son Brexton, center, and wife Samantha put their arms around each other before a NASCAR Cup series auto race Oct. 3, 2021, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

FILE - NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Kyle Busch celebrates with his wife, Samantha, and son, Brexton, after winning the NASCAR Xfinity auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sept. 7, 2019 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Democrat Xavier Becerra advanced Friday to the general election for California governor after pitching himself as an experienced choice to lead the nation’s most populous state and succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Becerra leaned on his more than 35 years in public office — including as state attorney general and U.S. health secretary — to argue that he was the most qualified candidate in a crowded field.

“I am ready to lead the fight to uphold California’s promise to make sure we have the governance worthy of our gifts,” he said on election night.

It was not yet clear who Becerra will face in the general election. His top rivals came down to Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News commentator backed by President Donald Trump, and Democrat Tom Steyer, a billionaire climate activist who poured $215 million of his own money into his campaign.

Becerra's campaign failed to gain traction during its first year. But that changed after one of the top Democratic contenders, Rep. Eric Swalwell, was accused of sexual assault and dropped out of the race, giving Becerra an opening to coalesce Democratic support.

Becerra has vowed to maintain the state’s mantle as a chief antagonist to President Donald Trump. As attorney general he filed more than 120 legal actions against the first Trump administration on everything from immigration to climate policy.

During the campaign his rivals scrutinized his leadership as health secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic and unaccompanied migrant children crisis in 2021, when Becerra’s Department of Health and Human Services was responsible for shelters where they were housed. Some of them were criticized as having inadequate living conditions, and there were also concerns about authorities failing to thoroughly vet sponsors with whom some children were placed.

If elected, Becerra said, he would declare states of emergency to address high energy costs and housing shortages and to freeze home insurance rates.

Though California is one of the nation’s most diverse states, almost all its governors have been white men. Becerra would be the first Latino to hold the office since the late 1800s.

Newsom was barred by term limits from seeking a third stint in office.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer speaks during his election night watch party in San Francisco on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton speaks during an election night event Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Huntington Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra speaks during an election night event Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)