US3 min(s) read
Published 09:40 23 May 2026 GMT
The late NASCAR star, Kyle Busch, was found coughing up blood the day before his death, according to a 911 call.
In the recording obtained by The California Post, a man can be heard asking for an ambulance to come to the General Motors Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina., at around 5:30PM on Wednesday.
Describing Busch’s condition, the man said, “I’ve got an individual that’s shortness of breath, is very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out, and is producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.”
After the emergency medical personnel learned that “He is awake,” they were informed by the caller that the best way to reach Busch was when they arrived.
The 41-year-old highly accomplished American professional stock car racing driver, best known for winning two NASCAR Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019, was then taken to a nearby hospital to treat what his family labelled “a severe illness”.
The father-of-two tragically passed away the very next day.
Busch’s cause of death is currently unknown.
The driver is survived by his parents, wife, and two young children.
He holds the record for the most all-time wins across NASCAR's three national series and is famously nicknamed "Rowdy" for his aggressive driving style and polarizing, outspoken personality.
In an official statement, a NASCAR official said, “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.
“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled, and he cared deeply about the sport and fans.”
After hearing the tragic news, friends and fans flocked to social media to pay their tributes to Busch.
Fellow competitive driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrote in a post on X, “Kyle was one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. No one can deny that.
“But he was also a father, a husband, brother, son, and a friend to many. My heart is broken for the Busch family. I will never be able to make sense of this loss but I am thankful that we had found a way to become friends.”
Another driver, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, added, “There aren’t really words for today.
“I’ve raced against Kyle for a long time, and anyone who’s lined up next to him knows exactly what made him special, he gave you everything he had, every single lap, and he made all of us better for it.
“Rest easy, Rowdy. The sport won’t be the same without you.”
