Legendary NASCAR driver Kyle Busch was reportedly dealing with bacterial pneumonia for “days to weeks” before his death, according to a death certificate obtained by US Weekly.
Busch reportedly had been dealing with pneumonia before going septic. A medical examiner reportedly determined Busch dealt with sepsis for one day, which then led to clots forming in his bloodstream, blocking blood flow to his organs and causing hemorrhagic shock, per US Weekly.
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That’s exactly what Busch’s family announced in a statement two days after the driver’s death. In that statement, Busch’s family said the driver died after “severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”
Prior to his death on May 21, Busch planned to take part in the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday. But Busch reportedly became ill while in a racing simulator Wednesday. In a 911 call obtained by TMZ, Busch was reportedly struggling to breathe and coughing up blood.
Busch was transported to a Charlotte, North Carolina, hospital after that call. Early Thursday, his team released a statement announcing Busch would not take part in the Coca-Cola 600 due to a “severe illness.” Hours later, Busch’s family put out a statement announcing his death. He was 41.
In the days following his death, Busch — NASCAR’s winningest driver across its three national series — was honored and celebrated by the sport and his colleagues. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin were among the drivers to immediately send heartfelt messages in tribute to Busch.
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The Indianapolis Motor Speedway held a moment of silence for Busch on Friday and lit up the pylon during lap 18 of Sunday’s Indy 500 in Busch’s honor. Richard Childress Racing announced it would suspend the use of the No. 8 ahead of the Coca-Cola 600. The company said it would hold the No. 8 until Busch’s 11-year-old son, Brexton, was “ready to go NASCAR racing.”
Spire, which purchased Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) in 2023, added KBM logos to some of its trucks before the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 on Friday.
Following Busch’s death, there’s been support for NASCAR to waive its Hall of Fame policy and immediately induct Busch into the Hall of Fame. Typically, drivers need to be retired for two years in order to become eligible for the honor.
