Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch died Thursday at the age of 41, stunning the racing world during one of the biggest weekends on the motorsports calendar. Busch was widely considered one of the greatest and most talented drivers in NASCAR history, finishing his career with 63 Cup Series wins and championships in 2015 and 2019.
New details released Friday revealed Busch had been dealing with serious health issues in the hours before his death. According to a 9-1-1 call, Busch suffered from shortness of breath, felt overheated, and was coughing up blood while at Chevrolet’s racing simulator facility in Concord, North Carolina, on Wednesday. The caller told dispatchers Busch believed he was going to pass out before later becoming unresponsive and being transported to a hospital in Charlotte.
No official cause of death has been released, though Busch’s family said earlier this week he had been hospitalized with a severe illness.
Busch’s death sent shockwaves throughout NASCAR and the sports world.
Drivers, teams, and fans paid tribute to the future Hall of Famer, while the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes held a moment of silence before Thursday night’s playoff game. Richard Childress Racing also announced it will stop using Busch’s iconic No. 8 car in Cup competition, saying the number will eventually be reserved for his son, Brexton, when he is old enough to race in NASCAR.
Busch leaves behind one of the most accomplished careers the sport has ever seen. Along with his 63 Cup victories, he recorded a NASCAR record 234 wins across the sport’s three national series.
His final win came just last week in the Truck Series race at Dover.
