NASCAR legend Kyle Busch died of severe pneumonia, his family announced Saturday.
The 41-year-old driver died Thursday after being hospitalized for a “serious illness,” his family said. In a new statement, the family said the NASCAR driver died of pneumonia that progressed “to sepsis, leading to rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”
On Wednesday, he was coughing up blood and lying on the bathroom floor of a General Motors training center in North Carolina, according to a 911 call obtained by NBC News.
“I have an individual who is short of breath, very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out and is producing a little blood – spitting up blood,” the caller could be heard saying around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Busch was on a simulator at a training center that day, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell said.
Earlier this month, Busch called his crew near the end of a NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, New York, and asked a doctor to give him a “shot” after he finished, the Associated Press reported. Busch was suffering from a sinus cold that was made worse by the intense G-forces and altitude changes on the road course on May 10, according to television broadcasts of the race.
Five days later, he won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in Dover.
Busch, who was known as “Rowdy” and “Wild Thing” in post-race fights, leaves an indelible legacy as a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and winner of 234 races in the sport’s three national series – the most in racing history.
Kyle Busch kisses his wife, Samantha, and son, Brexton, before a 2022 race.Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images Sports FileHis death sparked an outpouring of tributes from the racing community, celebrities and fans.
“A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare, once-in-a-generation talent. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely knowledgeable and he cared deeply about the sport and the fans,” the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR said in a statement. a joint declaration.
“NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon,” the statement said.
He will be honored Sunday during the Indianapolis 500 race, with the pylon lit in his honor for the 18th lap, his car’s number.
Busch is survived by his parents; his wife, Samantha; son, Brexton, 11; and her daughter, Lennix, 4 years old.
In its brief statement Saturday, Busch’s family asked for privacy for the near future.
