It’s still hard to wrap my head around the tragic and devastating loss of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch. And my heart still breaks for his friends and family.
Kyle Busch passed away two weeks, just hours after it was announced that he was suffering from a “severe illness” and would miss the Coca-Cola 600. Immediately, many began to speculate that his death was related to an illness that he was suffering during a race at Watkins Glen two weeks ago. During the race, Busch could be heard on the radio asking for a doctor to meet him after the race, saying that he needed a shot when he got back to his motorhome. At the time, announcers said that Busch had been dealing with a sinus infection.
Busch was still able to compete at Dover, even scoring what would turn out to be his final victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday, just six days before his death. Things took a turn for the worse on Wednesday, when the driver reportedly collapsed during simulator testing at the GM Technical Center in Charlotte. During a 911 call, it was reported that Busch was “awake and alert” but was on the bathroom floor experiencing “shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out, and is producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.”
On Saturday, Busch’s family released a statement revealing that his death was caused by severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. The death certificate provided more insight into the tragic chain of events that led up to the death of the NASCAR legend. The medical examiner determined that Busch likely had pneumonia for “days to weeks” before his death, all while he kept racing and going about his business. The death certificate says that the pneumonia then progressed to sepsis, which he likely only had for a day before his death.
The sepsis caused “disseminated intravascular coagulation,” or small blood clots that spread throughout his body and blocked flow to his organs, ultimately leading to hemorrhagic shock due to severe internal bleeding. Of course hindsight’s 20/20, so who knows how it would have played out had Busch been hospitalized following Watkins Glen. It’s not even clear that Busch – or his medical team – even realized that he had pneumonia, no doubt due in part to his physical fitness as an athlete.
It’s just a tragic situation all the way around, and of course, the most devastating for his wife Samantha, and two young children, Brexton and Lennix, who lost their daddy. As a father to two young children myself, including a daughter the same age as Lennix, I can’t begin to fathom leaving my children at this stage in their life… it’s just an unthinkable tragedy for the Busch family and the NASCAR community.
Today, Kyle’s wife Samantha took to social media to pen a heartfelt “thank you” letter to family, friends, and fans for supporting them during this awful time. Despite the devastating circumstances, Samantha says that they’ve felt a ton of love and support, as well as God’s presence, to sustain them. She adds that the weight of the loss is feels impossible to carry, but God has, and will continue to, carry her and the family through their grief:
“As a family, we wanted to take a moment to say thank you.
The prayers, messages, flowers, meals, hugs, and countless acts of kindness have carried us through the most heartbreaking days of our lives. While our hearts are absolutely shattered, we have felt God’s presence and arms wrapped tightly around us through each and every one of you.
The love that has surrounded our family during this unimaginable time has brought comfort in the middle of so much pain. Knowing the impact Kyle had on others and seeing how they are honoring him through each unique act of generosity is a true testament to how special Kyle is to so many people. There are moments when the weight of this loss feels impossible to carry, yet time and time again God, through you all, has shown us we are not alone.
From family and friends to fans and complete strangers, thank you for showing up for us. Thank you for loving our family so well. Thank you for loving Kyle. Thank you for honoring him. We may never find the words to fully express what your support has meant to us, but please know that we are deeply grateful.
Love, Samantha, Brexton & Lennix”
