NASCAR driver Kyle Busch encountered breathing difficulties, overheating, and coughed up blood a day before his passing, as revealed in a 911 call obtained by The Associated Press on Friday. Busch, aged 41, succumbed on Thursday after severe pneumonia advanced to sepsis, leading to swift and overwhelming complications, according to a statement from his family released on Saturday.
Before his demise, Busch had been hospitalized for a “severe illness” just three days before he was set to participate in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. While testing at the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord, N.C., Busch became unresponsive on Wednesday and was rushed to a Charlotte hospital, as reported by sources familiar with the situation who preferred to remain anonymous.
During the emergency call made later that day from the General Motors training facility, the caller described Busch’s condition as having shortness of breath, feeling very hot, on the verge of passing out, and coughing up blood. Busch was found lying on the bathroom floor, conscious but in distress, as relayed in the audio from the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office.
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell, in a press briefing on Friday, refrained from discussing the cause of Busch’s death or any health issues he may have faced, respecting the family’s privacy. O’Donnell paid tribute to Busch’s legacy, his rebellious spirit, and his clashes with NASCAR, labeling him as “an American badass.”
O’Donnell humorously recounted an incident where Busch feigned serious injury when instructed by NASCAR to visit the infield care center after an accident at Texas. He praised Busch’s character and hinted at a potential inclusion of Busch in the Hall of Fame Class of 2027.
The news of Busch’s demise reverberated across the motorsports community during a significant racing weekend, coinciding with the Indianapolis 500. The Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL held a moment of silence in honor of Busch before their conference final game, and tributes poured in from various personalities, including Vice-President JD Vance.
Richard Childress Racing, Busch’s team for the past four seasons, announced the suspension of Busch’s No. 8 Cup Series car, to be replaced by No. 33 starting from the Coca-Cola 600. The No. 8 will be reserved for Busch’s son, Brexton, when he enters NASCAR racing, as acknowledged by RCR.
Brexton Busch, at 11 years old, has already made a name for himself in racing. RCR credited Kyle Busch for the design of the iconic No. 8 car, reflecting his influence on fans and the NASCAR community. As the racing community mourned Busch’s loss, drivers like Christopher Bell prepared for upcoming races, acknowledging the void left by Busch’s absence on the track.