Update: The Busch family released a statement on the cause of death, saying a medical evaluation “concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”
The late NASCAR star Kyle Busch coughed up blood and was short of breath just prior to his unexpected death this Thursday.
According to a 911 call first obtained by TMZ, Busch requested medical attention on Wednesday, a day before his death, after he coughed up some blood and experienced shortness of breath while preparing for the Coca-Cola 600 race this weekend.
Listen:
NASCAR star Kyle Busch experienced shortness of breath, felt he was overheating and was coughing up blood the day before his death, according to a 911 call obtained Friday by CBS News.
Busch died Thursday at age 41. No cause of death has been given, though his family said… pic.twitter.com/5sKTO0DDq4
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 22, 2026
“I’ve got an individual that’s [experiencing] shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out and producing a little bit of blood – coughing up some blood,” the unidentified person who dialed 911 said on the call. “He is awake. He’s on the bathroom floor right now.”
The call was made at 5:30 pm ET Wednesday, almost exactly 24 hours before Busch’s family announced his death, according to CNN.
Busch was reportedly conducting testing in a racing simulator in Concord, North Carolina, on Wednesday when he became unresponsive and was taken to a hospital in Charlotte.
Early the following morning, Busch’s family announced on the social media platform X that he’d been hospitalized and wouldn’t be competing over the weekend:
Statement Regarding Kyle Busch from the Busch Family:
“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for…
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) May 21, 2026
A few hours later, both Busch’s family and his racing team announced his stunning death without specifying what illness had triggered it.
Asked by the press for specifics during a Friday press conference, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell declined to name any.
“We’re 24 hours from getting a phone call and I don’t think – it’s out of respect for the family and they’ve asked for privacy. I’m not going to address any of that,” he said.
Listen:
NASCAR’s Mike Forde led off CEO Steve O’Donnell’s press conference by saying that they currently do not have answers for any health-related questions pertaining to Kyle Busch’s illness and death. Out of respect for the Busch family’s request for privacy, O’Donnell did not address… pic.twitter.com/lPVu4iVSUZ
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) May 22, 2026
Instead O’Donnell focused on highlighting Busch’s legacy.
“Kyle Busch lived just about every chapter of what you can do in NASCAR,” he said.
He was also one hell of a racer.
“A driver who often reveled in being the villain and was given the nicknames ‘Rowdy’ and ‘Wild Thing,’ the Las Vegas native was in the midst of his 22nd season in NASCAR’s top division, credited with 63 victories over 762 race starts, which ranks ninth on the all-time wins list,” according to CNN.
And according to President Donald Trump, Busch was a definitive “winner.”
“The LEGENDARY NASCAR Driver Kyle Busch tragically and unexpectedly passed away yesterday,” he president wrote on Truth Social. “He was a true talent who loved NASCAR and its fans. Kyle was a WINNER!”
“He was a two time Cup Champion, and holds the All Time Record for WINS in NASCAR’s Top Three series, and even won another just last weekend,” he added.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 22, 2026
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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