NASCAR driver Kyle Busch died of “severe pneumonia” turned to sepsis, according to a statement released by his family.
The news came on Saturday (May 23) via Vice President of Kyle Busch Companies Dakota Hunter, per Fox News.
Read More: Who Are Kyle Busch’s Wife + Children?
“The medical information provided to the Busch family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelmingly associated complications,” that statement reads.
How Did NASCAR Driver Kyle Busch Die?
- Kyle Busch died on May 21.
- He was 41 years old.
- Earlier in the day, family shared that he’d been hospitalized with a severe illness.
Busch was testing a Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord, N.C. when he became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte.
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911 audio subsequently released by TMZ offers more details. An unnamed male placed the call at about 5:30pm, and indicated that Busch (whose name is redacted in the audio) was “very hot,” experiencing shortness of breath and feeling like he was “going to pass out.” It also revealed that he was coughing up blood.
What Illness Was Kyle Busch Facing Before He Died?
Kyle Busch battled a sinus infection earlier in May, but it’s not clear if that illness is tied to the circumstances that caused his death.
After a May 10 race in Watkins Glen, broadcasters said that Busch was dealing with congestion caused by sinus infection. The driver requested that his doctor meet him at his bus after the race for a shot of some kind.
Who Are Kyle Busch’s Wife + Children?
Busch married his wife, Samantha, in 2010. The couple share two children: An 11-year-old son named Brexton and a 4-year-old daughter named Lennix.
The driver’s final Instagram post was a celebration of his son’s birthday.
Read More: Kyle Busch’s Final Instagram Post Will Break Your Heart
“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!,” he wrote earlier this week.
NASCAR’s Kyle Busch Through the Years
Kyle Busch gave his fans more than two decades of racing memories before he passed on May 21, 2026. The NASCAR driver was revered as one of the best in the business.
We rounded up some photos of Busch’s incredible legacy both on the track and off.