Kyle Busch 911 Call Reveals Final Moments Before NASCAR Champion Was Hospitalized

A newly released 911 call captured the moments before NASCAR champion Kyle Busch was rushed to a North Carolina hospital, where he later died after suffering what his family described as a “severe illness.”

According to local outlet WSOC-TV, the emergency call was placed around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday from the General Motors Charlotte Technical Center on Speedway Boulevard, home to a driving simulator facility frequently used by NASCAR teams and drivers.

“I’ve got an individual that’s [experiencing] shortness of breath, very hot, and thinks he’s going to pass out, and he’s producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood,” the caller told a dispatcher.

The caller also requested that emergency crews disable their sirens when arriving at the scene, asking dispatchers to instruct responders to approach quietly.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, died Thursday at age 41 after being hospitalized with the undisclosed illness, according to a joint statement released by his family, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR.

“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch,” the statement read. “A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation.”

Earlier Thursday, before news of his death was announced, Busch’s family said through his social media account that he had been hospitalized and would not compete during race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization,” the family statement said. “He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend.”

Busch had been scheduled to participate in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. His absence marked the first missed Cup Series race for the veteran driver in more than a decade.

Before his death was announced, Richard Childress Racing said Austin Hill would replace Busch behind the wheel for the Coca-Cola 600. On Friday, the organization announced it would indefinitely retire Busch’s iconic No. 8 Chevrolet and instead field the No. 33 car moving forward.

The team said the No. 8 would be reserved for Busch’s son, Brexton, should he eventually compete in NASCAR.

“Kyle Busch was instrumental in the design of RCR’s stylized No. 8 and it has become synonymous with Kyle and an important symbol for his fans and the NASCAR industry,” RCR said in a statement. “No one can carry it forward to the level that he did. The No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch when he is ready to go NASCAR racing.”