Photo: James Gilbert / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
New information has surfaced regarding the death of NASCAR champion Kyle Busch, who passed away on Thursday (May 21) at the age of 41. According to a 911 call obtained by ABC News, Busch was experiencing "shortness of breath" and "coughing up some blood" at the GM Charlotte Technical Center in Concord on Wednesday (May 20). He was using a Chevrolet racing simulator before being transported to a hospital in Charlotte.
Busch's family announced his death on Thursday, a few hours after stating he was undergoing treatment for a "severe illness." The NASCAR community is mourning the loss of Busch, who was scheduled to participate in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway just days before his death.
The Associated Press reported that Busch was found unresponsive in the driving simulator and transported to the hospital. A joint statement from Busch's family, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR described him as "a rare talent" and "a future Hall of Famer."
Busch's death comes after a challenging season, which included a sinus cold that affected his performance at Watkins Glen. Despite these struggles, he recently won a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in Dover. His passing has led to an outpouring of support from fans and fellow racers, with many donating to the Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund, a charity he founded with his wife to help couples afford fertility treatments.
As of Friday morning, the official cause of death has not been released. Busch is survived by his wife and their children, Brexton and Lennix. He won 63 Cup Series races and 234 total across NASCAR's three national series.