(This story has been updated to include Richard Childress Racing suspending the use of Kyle Busch’s No. 8 car.)
The NASCAR world continues to grieve the death of Kyle Busch, one of the sport’s most popular and successful drivers. Memorials popped up in places like Daytona International Speedway, and well-wishes for his family continued to come in on social media a day after “Rowdy” suddenly passed.
Busch was just 41 years old when he died May 21 after being hospitalized in Charlotte for what was described as a “severe illness.” The two-time Cup Series champion and 2009 O’Reilly Series champion (it was then the Nationwide Series) was found unresponsive in a driving simulator the day before, according to The Associated Press.
Beloved for his excitable energy and fiery passion that sometimes led him to get into fights with fellow drivers (hence the nickname), Busch goes down as the winningest driver across NASCAR’s three national series. He never won the Daytona 500, though he did earn pole position for this February’s race. And he did get to celebrate his older brother, Kurt Busch, winning the Great American Race in 2017.
“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch,” read a joint statement from NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing and his family. “A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans.
“NASCAR lost a giant for the sport today, far too soon.”
Busch was preparing to race in the Truck Series race Friday, May 22, in addition to the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway when he died. Here’s what we know about his cause of death and what comes next:
What happened to Kyle Busch?
It’s unknown what exactly happened to Kyle Busch. In a post on his social media pages, Busch’s family said May 21 he was taken to a Charlotte-area hospital for a “severe illness.” He died later that day.
“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization,” read the family’s post from 10:23 a.m. May 21. “He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”
A joint statement by NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing and the Busch family asked that “during this incredibly difficult time, we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be shared as appropriate.”
How did Kyle Busch die?
Kyle Busch’s cause of death is unknown. A report by The Associated Press said Busch was using the Chevrolet driving simulator at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Wednesday, May 20, ahead of this weekend’s races in Concord, North Carolina. The AP said he became unresponsive while testing in the simulator and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died a day later.
According to the 911 call obtained by USA TODAY, Busch was coughing up blood, short of breath, very hot and laying on the bathroom floor at the General Motors Charlotte Technical Center.
What was Kyle Busch hospitalized for?
The exact illness Kyle Busch died from is unknown, but it appears the racer had been battling medical issues for a while leading up to his death. Near the end of the May 10 Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, Busch was heard on the Fox broadcast requesting medical assistance after finishing. “Can somebody try to find Bill Heisel?” he radioed his team. “Tell him I need him after the race, please.” Busch can later be heard requesting a shot of some kind.
Fox broadcaster Mike Joy said Busch had been battling a “sinus cold” throughout the week. The Cleveland Clinic says sinus infections can affect the brain or lead to a blood clot if left untreated, but severe complications are rare, and they usually pass within a week.
What was Kyle Busch’s last social media post?
Kyle Busch loved his family, as seen in his final post to social media on May 18, when he celebrated his son Brexton’s 11th birthday. The eldest of Kyle’s two children, Brexton already has gotten into racing like his dad, winning his first box stock race in 2020 at just 5 years old, according to his website.
“Happy Birthday @brextonbusch!!! Your mom & I are so proud of who you’re turning out to be! You’re the best kid on & off the track, you amaze us every day. Keep doing what you’re doing and there is no limit to what you’ll accomplish! Love you buddy!” Busch’s post read.
The post came just three days after Busch won the NASCAR Truck Series race at Dover, what would be the final victory of his career.
Kyle Busch’s family
Kyle Busch is from a prestigious racing family. His father, Tom Busch, was a presence on Nevada’s track circuit, and he helped build and fix up the cars for both his racing sons, Kurt and Kyle, while they rose to the national scene, according to a recent article in Autoweek. Kyle’s older brother, Kurt Busch, was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2026, his first year of eligibility. Kurt won 34 Cup Series races over his 23-year career, including the 2017 Daytona 500, as well as the 2004 series championship, an honor Kyle would claim in 2015 and 2019.
Kyle was married 15 years to Samantha Busch. They had two children together: son Brexton, 11, and daughter Lennix, 4. Richard Childress Racing announced it would suspend the use of the No. 8 car for Charlotte and beyond, reserving until Brexton wants to use it if he pursues a career in NASCAR.
Kyle Busch tributes
Fans and racing dignitaries poured in tributes to Kyle Busch on social media after his death. Longtime rival Dale Earnhardt Jr. left a particularly emotional post for his friend: “My heart is broken for the Busch family. I will never be able to make sense of this loss but I am thankful that we had found a way to become friends.”
Fans left flowers at a makeshift memorial for Busch outside Daytona International Speedway.
How many NASCAR wins did Kyle Busch have?
Kyle Busch goes down as the greatest winner in NASCAR history because of his storied career across three national series: the premier Cup Series, the second-tier O’Reilly Series (formerly the Xfinity Series) and the Truck Series. Busch picked up 63 wins in the Cup Series, ninth-most all-time and the most among full-time active drivers. His 102 wins in the O’Reilly Series and 69 wins in the Truck Series are the most ever among those circuits, giving him a record 234 checkered flags across NASCAR’s three national series.
Who will replace Kyle Busch at Coke 600?
When news came down that Busch was withdrawing from the race May 24 at Charlotte, Richard Childress Racing announced Austin Hill would take his place in the No. 8 car. Hill drives the No. 21 car for RCR in the second-tier O’Reilly Series. In February, he won the United Rentals 300 (the last race at Daytona International Speedway before the Daytona 500) for the fourth time in five years. The 32-year-old from Winston, Georgia has appeared in two NASCAR Cup Series races this year and also won the 2020 Truck Series championship.
Contributing: Nick Brinkerhoff, Steve Gardner, Victoria Hernandez and Andres Soto, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Kyle Busch found coughing up blood one day before death. What we know
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
