Kyle Busch died of pneumonia that progressed into sepsis: What we know
As the motorsports world resumed racing Saturday, May 23, the Busch family revealed what killed Kyle Busch: severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, claiming the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion at 41.
"The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications," the family said in a statement released Saturday morning. "The Family asks for continued understanding and privacy during this difficult time."
Here’s what we know about Kyle Busch’s death:
This moment with Kyle Busch's family will melt your heart
As Samantha Busch was being consoled on the Charlotte Motor Speedway infield following an emotional tribute to Kyle Busch by NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell, she had her 11-year-old son Brexton by her side.
In a heartwarming moment, Owen Larson, the son of two-time NASCAR champion Kyle Larson walked over to Brexton to lend his fellow racing kid support.
Bring tissues.
Kyle Busch honored on Lap 8 of Coca-Cola 600
The moment of silence held in memory of Busch pre-race turned out to just be the first one of the day at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Amazon Prime broadcast booth went quiet on lap 8 in Busch's honor, coinciding with the number he drove for Richard Childress Racing.
The fans in attendance, also silent, held up eight fingers through the entirety of the lap.
Busch family gathers at Coca-Cola 600 for emotional tribute
Kyle Busch was supposed to race Sunday night.
Instead, his family was at the Charlotte Motor Speedway to mourn him with thousands of fans. His wife Samantha, their children Brexton, 11, and Lennix, 4, were joined by his parents Tom and Gaye, and his older brother, NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, walked into the infield where NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell paid tribute to the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Samantha Busch was overcome with emotion during the tribute, holding tight to her son Brexton, throughout.
"Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you, and you and your children are NASCAR family forever, Brexton and Lennix, your dad loves you with all his heart. Everyone gathered here, everyone behind you, everyone watching on TV and all those people up in that grandstand, they are your family and we’ve got you," O'Donnell said during a speech that was broadcasted throughout the speedway and on the Prime Video broadast.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. voices Kyle Busch tribute
Amazon Prime Video tapped Earnhardt, one of Busch's a longtime friend and peer, to narrate a tribute video that led into the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday. In the emotional speech, Earnhardt recalls Busch's young start at age 16 in the Craftsman Truck Series, his competitive fire and how he grew from villain to legend over his 22-year career in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The video ends with Busch, in his own words, telling a reporter why winning races never gets old.
"Because you never know when the last one is."
Indianapolis Motor Speedway honors Kyle Busch
The pylon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway lit up with Busch's name and photo on lap No. 18, a nod to with the iconic number he drove with Joe Gibbs Racing from 2008-2022.
NASCAR Drivers meeting keeps empty chair for Kyle Busch
The drivers meeting ahead of the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte on Sunday left one chair open, with Busch's name on it.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards remember Kyle Busch
As coverage of the Coca-Cola 600 gets underway, two of Busch's peers took some time on the broadcast to reflect on their fallen friend.
"He strived to win every single race he wanted to run. We saw how badly he hated to lose," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. "He did that because he wanted to be considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest race car driver in NASCAR. He strived and worked toward that goal every day.
"The other thing I've learned about Kyle over the last several years is how badly he wanted to be appreciated. And I hope wherever he is, that he is seeing all of the great things that everybody has been saying about him over the last couple of days."
Carl Edwards reflected on the impact that Busch had on him as a young driver, especially the fire he competed with.
Kyle Busch always wanted to race the Indy 500 - and he came close
Kyle Busch never got his shot at Indianapolis, but it came closer than most people knew. The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion revealed on Denny Hamlin's Actions Detrimental podcast in 2025 that he had a deal in place around 2018 to run the Indy 500. Toyota and Chevrolet both signed off. His longtime NASCAR sponsor M&Ms, was ready to foot the bill.
Joe Gibbs said no.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing was part of the effort to make it happen. Jay Frye, the team's president, said RLL even held the No.51, Busch's "Rowdy" number from his truck series days, in reserve for him for four or five years, hoping a deal would eventually come together.
It never did.
Busch’s older brother, NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, was one of the five drivers who raced “The Double,” finishing sixth in the 2014 Indy 500 and 40th in the Coca-Cola 600 after his car suffered an engine failure on Lap 271 of 400.
Busch died last week at the age of 41. The family announced he died of pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. -- Kristie Ackert
How did Kyle Busch fare in his career in Coca-Cola 600?
Kyle Busch raced in the Coca-Cola 600 22 times during his legendary NASCAR career. He finished in the top five 10 times and top 10 12 times in NASCAR's longest race. Busch won NASCAR’s longest race in 2018 from the pole position.
Travis Pastrana and Frankie Muniz pay tribute to Kyle Busch
Pastrana and Muniz are two people who achieved stardom in other walks of life before breaking into NASCAR and meeting Busch, but he left a big impact on them.
Before putting on a firesuit and getting behind the wheel of a NASCAR truck, Muniz was a young star in Hollywood and an Emmy-nominated actor for his work on “Malcolm in the Middle.” Pastrana rose to fame in the 2000s when extreme sports were taking off, and the Maryland native won 17 medals at the X-Games in motocross and other sports. -- Mitchell Northam
Incredible Kyle Busch stat
Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 will be the first NASCAR Cup Series race that doesn't feature an Earnhardt or Busch since 1979. According to Twitter user @BlaketheRxGuy, that means any fan under the age of 47 will be watching a race without either member of those two families competing for the first time in their lives.
Bubba Wallace reflects on Kyle Busch
The driver of the No. 23 Toyota for Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin's 23XI Racing didn’t come into the driver bullpen on Saturday, May 23 to talk to reporters. Before taking practice laps on Saturday, Wallace walked alone to a section of the infield grass where Kyle Busch’s No. 8 is printed. Wallace kneeled down and had a quiet moment to himself. --- Michell Northam
Kyle Busch's iconic No. 18 appeared in the Indy 500
Kyle Busch received a tribute during the Indianapolis 500, as the speedway honored him on lap 18, a nod to his iconic car number. The gesture was a moment of remembrance, underscoring Busch’s enduring legacy in motorsports.
Layne Riggs paid tribute to Kyle Busch in the winner’s circle
Layne Riggs, driving the No. 34 Ford, captured an emotional victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. During his celebration, Riggs honored Busch by waving the checkered flag just as Busch had famously done. He then pointed to the sky in tribute and was visibly moved to tears.
Riggs on Kyle Busch: "When he showed up (in the truck series), we were racing for second... He was the standard of what excellence was... I'm just very fortunate I had the chance to race against him... We all want to do what he did."
Was Kyle Busch supposed to race this weekend?
Kyle Busch was scheduled to compete this weekend in both the Coca-Cola 600 Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Craftsman Truck Series race.
Who's driving for Kyle Busch in the Coca-Cola 600
Austin Hill is set to step into the Richard Childress Racing Cup Series car on Sunday, filling the seat left vacant by the late Kyle Busch. In a mark of respect, Hill’s car will be renumbered from the iconic No. 8 to No. 33, with the No. 8 temporarily retired. Team officials have announced that the No. 8 will remain dormant as a tribute until Busch’s 11-year-old son, Brexton, is old enough to carry on his father’s legacy behind the wheel.
Danica Patrick expresses her sadness after Kyle Busch's passing
Danica Patrick, former IndyCar and NASCAR star, expressed her shock and sadness following the news of Busch’s passing. She described it as a devastating loss not only for his family but for the entire racing world, emphasizing how deeply his absence will be felt throughout the sport.
"I think that we're all just shocked. We're sad," Patrick said during an appearance on OutKick's "Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich" on Friday. "You know, it's just something that no one expected. When I first heard something was wrong, I thought he was driving something, but it was something completely different."
Corey Day wrecks No. 7 truck
Corey Day, piloting the No. 7 truck that Kyle Busch had steered to victory only a week earlier, suffered a crash into the barrier during Stage 2 of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Charlotte, ending his race.
The No. 7 truck won last week at Dover with Busch leading 147 of 200 laps.
Kyle Busch honored on the FS1 broadcast
During the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series broadcast, Michael Waltrip and the FOX Sports 1 commentary team took time to reflect on the remarkable career and enduring legacy of Kyle Busch. They highlighted his record-breaking achievements, influence and the passion he brought to the sport.
Kyle Busch's former spotter post message ahead of Coca-Cola 600
Derek Kneeland, Kyle Busch's former spotter, a crucial team member who serves as the driver's eyes on the track, monitoring blind spots, traffic, wrecks, and changing conditions, shared a heartfelt message on X. He expressed that it would be a tough day and asked for support and protection for their team, reflecting the emotional weight heading into the Coca-Cola 600.
Fan tributes continue for Kyle Busch
Fans continue to honor Kyle Busch with heartfelt tributes celebrating his remarkable career and lasting impact on motorsports.
Kyle Busch will be honored at Indy 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles announced a special tribute for Kyle Busch during the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500. On lap 18, the IMS scoring pylon will be illuminated in honor of Busch, recognizing his contributions and legacy in motorsports.
Drivers at Indy 500 honor Kyle Busch
Several cars competing in the Indianapolis 500 feature special stickers honoring Kyle Busch. These stickers display the No. 8, a tribute to Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.
What was Kyle Busch's cause of death?
The Busch family confirmed Saturday that he had severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications. No additional details were provided. The family has asked for privacy.
How does pneumonia kill?
While rare in otherwise healthy adults, the progression from viral pneumonia to a fatal bacterial infection can move with devastating speed, according to medical experts not connected with the case.
Viral pneumonia can leave the lungs vulnerable to secondary bacterial infections. Those bacterial infections are among the most dangerous organisms clinicians can encounter.
What signs of illness did Kyle Busch have in the days before his death?
Busch had been battling respiratory symptoms for more than a week that we know of. At the Cup Series race May 10 at Watkins Glen, FOX Sports reported during its broadcast that Busch had been fighting a sinus cold. Busch radioed in during the race to have a doctor meet him at his bus afterward.
Less than a week later at Dover, after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race May 15, Busch addressed his illness on video.
"I’m still not great," he said. "The cough was pretty substantial last week."
What we learned from the 911 call for Kyle Busch
Busch was coughing up blood when emergency responders were called to a General Motors facility in Concord, North Carolina, the day before he died, according to the call obtained by USA Today.
In the call, a man tells a dispatcher that Busch was on the bathroom floor, awake but in distress. He said he was coughing up blood, short of breath and very hot.
The caller asked that the emergency responders turn off their sirens on arrival at the complex.
How has the sports world reacted to Kyle Busch's death?
Tributes poured in from far beyond NASCAR, with athletes, major sports franchises, broadcasters and celebrities from across the sports world paying their respects.
The Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens held a moment of silence for Busch before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh.
President Donald Trump also sent condolences to Busch’s wife Samantha, and their two children, Brexton, 11, and Lennix, 4.