Nascar driver Kyle Busch died after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications, according to a statement released by his family. Dakota Hunter, vice-president of Kyle Busch Companies, said in a news release that the family received the medical evaluation on Saturday.
Busch, a two-time Nascar champion, died at 41 on Thursday, a day after passing out in a Chevrolet simulator in preparation for a race on Sunday at the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. He was transported to a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he later died.
Busch is reported to have experienced shortness of breath, felt he was overheating and was coughing up blood the day before his death, according to a 911 call obtained by the Associated Press. During the emergency call, an unidentified caller told dispatch: “I’ve got an individual that’s [got] shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out, and is producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.”
The driver’s death has caused anguish among motor racing fans. Busch won 234 races across Nascar’s top three series over his two-decade career, more than any driver in history. Donald Trump described Busch as “a true talent who loved NASCAR and its fans. Kyle was a WINNER!” JD Vance called Busch “one of NASCAR’s greatest racers”. Nascar’s CEO, Steve O’Donnell, described him as “an American badass”.
Busch was thought to have had a sinus cold while racing at Watkins Glen on 10 May and radioed in to his team saying that he needed a “shot” from a doctor after the race. However, he bounced back to win the Trucks Series race at Dover last weekend, and then finished 17th in the All-Star race on Sunday. All 39 drivers in the field for Sunday’s race will race with a black No 8 decal on their car to honour Busch.
