CONCORD, N.C. — Two days removed from the unthinkable, tragic death of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, the family of the racer provided an update regarding the medical evaluation of Busch and the ailments that led to his unexpected passing at the age of 41.
According to a statement from the Busch family, upon being hospitalized, Busch’s medical evaluation concluded that Busch was suffering from severe pneumonia, which had progressed into sepsis. The progression into sepsis resulted in “rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”
The Busch family, as it has since the Thursday morning announcement that Busch had been admitted to the hospital, asks for continued understanding and privacy during this difficult time.
Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who amassed a record 234 victories across NASCAR’s three National Series divisions, collected his 69th and final NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory a week ago at Dover Motor Speedway.
The driver was slated to compete in a double-duty weekend again this week at Charlotte Motor Speedway, as he was scheduled to drive the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado in Friday’s postponed NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200. Busch was also set to drive the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race.
However, in a statement from the Busch family on Thursday morning, Busch was officially ruled out for the weekend’s events after suffering severe illness, which resulted in hospitalization. Later that evening, the Busch family, in a joint statement with Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR, announced the death of Busch.
Richard Childress Racing made the decision to suspend the use of the No. 8 on the car that Busch had driven in the NASCAR Cup Series full-time since 2023, and beginning this weekend, the car will carry the No. 33. Austin Hill will pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet this weekend; a full-time driver has not been announced for the entry.
On Saturday morning, NASCAR, in a touching gesture, allowed Richard Childress Racing to unload its No. 33 Chevrolet from its team hauler before any other car unloaded for the race weekend. As the entire garage looked on out of respect for the team and its fallen star driver, Richard Childress Racing unloaded Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet, and both cars were pushed to the inspection bay.
Every other team then began work to get their cars unloaded and ready to roll through pre-race inspection.
