On Saturday, the family of two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch released a statement revealing the cause of death for the 41-year-old, who passed away unexpectedly on Thursday.
Busch was hospitalized on Wednesday with a “severe illness”, which we now know, according to the family, was “severe pneumonia,” which “progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications”.
The full statement from the Busch Family is as follows:
The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications. The family asks for continued understanding and privacy during this difficult time.
Busch is the winningest driver in both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (102 wins) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (69 wins), as well as overall in NASCAR’s National Series (234 wins).
The Las Vegas, Nevada-native was competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing this season, piloting the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. On Friday, the organization announced that it will immediately pause using the number, switching the No. 33 this weekend at Charlotte.
Additionally, Richard Childress Racing will continue to request usage of the No. 8 from NASCAR each year until Brexton Busch, Kyle’s 11-year-old son, is ready to begin his NASCAR journey.
Busch leaves behind his wife, Samantha, and two children, Brexton (11) and Lennix (4).
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