CONCORD, N.C. — Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch died on Thursday at age 41 after a severe case of pneumonia escalated into sepsis, leading to rapid and overwhelming complications, according to a statement released by his family.
Dakota Hunter, vice president of Kyle Busch Companies, said the family received the medical evaluation on Saturday confirming the cause of death. The announcement comes days after Busch collapsed while testing a Chevrolet racing simulator at the GM Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina.
Newly released audio from Cabarrus County Emergency Dispatch captures the frantic 911 call made on Wednesday, the day before his death. The caller described Busch as “very hot,” short of breath, and coughing up blood. “I’ve got an individual that’s, uh, shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out, and is, uh, is producing a little bit of blood. Coughing up some blood,” the caller said.
The caller confirmed Busch was awake but lying on a bathroom floor inside the facility and asked responding crews to turn off their sirens upon arrival. He was later transported to a Charlotte hospital, where he died the following day.
The Associated Press previously reported, citing unnamed sources, that Busch became unresponsive during the simulator test. His death has sent shockwaves through the racing world and beyond. Busch, a two-time Cup champion, was known for his aggressive driving style and long tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing before moving to Richard Childress Racing.
In a related development, the family’s statement underscores the rapid progression of pneumonia into sepsis, a condition that can lead to organ failure and death if not treated promptly. The incident has raised questions about the adequacy of medical response at the testing facility, though officials have not commented on the specifics of the emergency.
Busch’s death adds to a string of recent high-profile health crises, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s hospitalization for pneumonia complicated by 9/11-related lung issues. Giuliani was later discharged and vowed a full recovery.
The racing community has rallied around Busch’s family, with tributes pouring in from drivers, teams, and fans. NASCAR released a statement calling Busch “a fierce competitor and a champion whose legacy will endure.”
Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, and their two children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
