Danica Patrick Mourns Kyle Busch's Death: 'A Devastating Loss'

Former NASCAR star Danica Patrick is in shock, like much of the sports world, following Kyle Busch's unexpected death at age 41.

"I think that we're all just shocked. We're sad," Patrick said on OutKick's "Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich." "It's just something that no one expected."

Patrick called the loss devastating for Busch's family and the NASCAR community, describing him as a polarizing figure and an incredible driver who will be remembered as one of the greatest in NASCAR history.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, holds the all-time record for wins in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series (102) and Craftsman Truck Series (69), along with a record 19 consecutive seasons with a win.

Patrick praised Busch's ability to reach an altered state of focus on track, saying he could access that next level more often than others. "He was just incredibly fast and incredibly passionate and always wanted to be the best."

Patrick raced in NASCAR's top series from 2012 to 2018, recording seven top-10 finishes and one pole position in 191 races.