The NASCAR legend had been scheduled to participate in two races this weekend
Credit: Patrick McDermott/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Kyle Busch collapsed one day before his death, according to a new report from the Associated Press
- The NASCAR driver was found unresponsive inside a racing simulator in Concord, N.C., per the AP
- Busch, 41, died on Thursday, May 21 after his family announced that he had been hospitalized with a “severe illness”
Kyle Busch collapsed inside a racing simulator one day before his death, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Busch, 41, was found unresponsive inside a Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord, N.C. and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte on Wednesday, May 20, sources told the AP.
The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion died on Thursday, hours after his family announced that he was hospitalized and would miss two upcoming races in North Carolina.
Busch was set to race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the speedway in Concord on Friday, May 22 and on Sunday, May 24 at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty
“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization,” the Busch family said. “He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”
Just a few hours later, they announced in a joint statement with NASCAR that Busch had died.
"On behalf of the Busch family, everyone at Richard Childress Racing and all of NASCAR, we are devastated to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch," the joint statement from NASCAR, the Busch family and Richard Childress Racing read.
"Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch," the statement continued. "A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation."
While his family did not share any further information on his illness, Busch had been experiencing health problems in recent weeks.
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As a race on Sunday, May 10 at Watkins Glen International was winding down, the driver requested medical attention after finishing.
Busch was heard asking his team over the radio to have a doctor meet him at his bus in the garage area.
"Can somebody try to find Bill Heisel? He’s the Kindred doctor guy. Tell him I need him after the race, please," Busch said, later adding, “I’m gonna need a shot.”
An announcer during the broadcast said Busch was battling a sinus cold, and that the New York course’s elevation and the consequential intense G-forces were exacerbating Busch’s symptoms.
Days later, Busch explained his symptoms to reporters in a video shared by The Athletic reporter Jeff Gluck.
“I’m still not great,” Busch said. “The cough was pretty substantial last week.”
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