Everything you need to know about Kyle Busch after his tragic death
The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion died on May 21, just hours after his family revealed he had been hospitalized with a “serious illness.” He was 41.
Kyle’s family, NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing released a joint statement after his passing, which read: “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 message continued: “Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, a once-in-a-generation talent. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and its fans. Over a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records for national series victories, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level and nurtured the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series. His sharp wit and competitive spirit created a deep emotional bond with racing fans of all ages, creating the proud and loyal “Rowdy Nation.”
The organization asked for privacy during the ‘incredibly difficult time’, adding: ‘Our thoughts are with Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha’s parents, Kurt and all of Kyle’s family, Richard and Judy Childress, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, his teammates, friends and fans. NASCAR lost a giant of the sport far too soon today.”
Kyle’s family did not release any further details about his condition at the time, but an anonymous source did claimed he was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on May 20 when he became unresponsive. He was then taken to a hospital in Charlotte.
A week later his death certificate, obtained by The associated press, confirmed that he died of hemorrhagic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation after developing sepsis as a complication of bacterial pneumonia. His manner of death was listed as natural.
