Heartbreaking to listen to.
We’re learning more information about the medical emergency that ultimately led to the death of two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch yesterday at the age of 41.
Yesterday morning, it was reported that Busch had been hospitalized for a “severe illness” and would miss this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, before it was announced that he had passed away a few hours later.
The AP reported yesterday evening that Busch had collapsed while in the racing simulator at Chevrolet’s technical center just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday evening, and dispatch reports show that the 911 call was made for someone experiencing shortness of breath around 5:30 PM.
And now, TMZ has obtained the audio of that 911 call which reveals more about the emergency that led to his hospitalization.
During the call, the unnamed caller tells the dispatcher that Busch was still awake and alert at the time and was on the bathroom floor:
“I’ve got an individual that – shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out, and is producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.”
The caller also tried to keep emergency personnel from drawing too much attention to the scene:
“When you come in, if you could not make it – could you turn the sirens off when you get here?”
No cause of death for Busch has been released, but the driver of the #8 car for Richard Childress Racing had previously been battling a severe sinus infection that required medical attention following a race at Watkins Glen two weeks ago.
During that race, Busch asked his team to have a doctor meet him at his bus to give him a shot after the race, and when asked last week whether he was feeling better Busch said that it was something he was still dealing with.
Busch had also suffered a severe leg injury earlier this year when a stool he was standing on collapsed while changing the batteries in a smoke detector, barely missing the muscle in his leg and requiring 24 stitches.
It still remains to be seen whether either of these issues ultimately contributed to his death.
At the time of his death, Busch was the all-time winningest driver in NASCAR history, scoring a total of 234 wins including 63 Cup Series wins, 102 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins, and 69 Truck Series victories.
His final NASCAR victory came just 6 days before his death, in a Truck Series race at Dover Speedway. Following the race, Busch gave an interview that’s taken on new significance since his passing:
“You never know when the last one is, you know? I know all too well unfortunately with the Cup stuff, but here with the Truck stuff right now it’s awesome to be a part of Spire Motorsports.”
Following his death, a joint statement was released from his family, NASCAR, and his Richard Childress Racing team:
“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.
Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records in national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series. His sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’
Our thoughts are with Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha’s parents, Kurt and all of Kyle’s family, Richard and Judy Childress, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, his teammates, friends and fans. NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon.”
Of course everybody still has a lot of questions about his death, and about what the future of NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing will look like without Kyle Busch. It’s just a heartbreaking situation, one that’s sent shockwaves not only through NASCAR but throughout the sports world in general.
It definitely won’t be the same without Busch behind the wheel of the #8 car this weekend during the Coke 600, but there’s no doubt NASCAR and his fellow competitors will honor him throughout the race and throughout the season.
Just a terrible, terrible situation.
