NASCAR Driver Kyle Busch’s Cause of Death Revealed

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch’s official cause of death was revealed on May 23.

“The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that ‌severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” according to a statement released by the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion’s family.

The family asked for “continued understanding and privacy during ​this difficult time.”

The 41-year-old racing champ was rushed to a North Carolina hospital on May 20 after he passed out while testing a driving simulator.

“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,” a caller told the 911 dispatcher.

On the morning of May 21, the Busch family announced that Kyle was not going to participate in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Coca-Cola 600 this weekend in North Carolina because he suffered a “severe illness” and was undergoing treatment.

Kyle Busch’s death was announced hours later, in a joint statement on behalf of the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR.

“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch,” a joint statement read.

“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.”

Busch made his NASCAR Cup Series debut 22 years ago and won more than 60 Cup-level victories over the course of his career.

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell remembered the Las Vegas native as a “winner” and mentor for up-and-coming drivers during a press conference on May 22.

“Kyle Busch just defines what it means to be a racer in NASCAR, everything about it: the fire, the greatness, the heart.”

O’Donnell said the sport was “lucky to have him,” and it won’t be the same.

Richard Childress Racing, the NASCAR team that fields Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro in the Cup Series, revealed on Friday that it would suspend using the car at Charlotte Motor Speedway and beyond.

“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. No one can carry it forward to the level that he did.”

The team added that No. 8 will be reserved for his son, Brexton Busch, “when he is ready to go NASCAR racing.”

The longtime racer is survived by his wife, Samantha Busch, and their two children, Brexton and Lennix. 

Haika Mrema, Elma Aksalic, and Reuters contributed to this report.