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Former Nascar icon Kyle Busch was found unresponsive while testing a racing simulator in Concord, North Carolina, just a day before his untimely death, according to sources cited by the Associated Press.
At 41, Busch passed away on Thursday after being admitted to the hospital due to a severe illness, though the exact cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.
Earlier that day, his family shared an update on his X account at 10:23 a.m. ET, informing followers of his hospitalization and his inability to participate in the upcoming weekend events.
“Kyle has been hospitalized due to a severe illness and is currently receiving treatment,” the family stated. “He will not be able to participate in his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We kindly request privacy and understanding as our family navigates this challenging time.”
Later that same day, a joint announcement from Busch’s family, Nascar, and Richard Childress Racing confirmed his passing, released just over seven hours after the initial update.
“A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation,” the joint statement read. “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.’”
Busch dealt with a medical issue earlier this month, with the star racer saying during the middle of a May 10 race that he would need to see a doctor after finishing his circuit.
The broadcast crew mentioned that he had been dealing with a sinus issue, with the AP reporting that the broadcasters noted how “Busch had been struggling with a sinus cold exacerbated by the intense G-forces and elevation changes at the New York road course.”
“I’m gonna need a shot,” Busch said during the race.
The ailment still bothered him last week, when he told The Athletic while motioning toward his face: “You can kind of hear it, I’m still not great. The cough was pretty substantial last week.”
Busch was one of Nascar’s greatest drivers, twice winning the Cup Series (2015, 2019) and ranking ninth all-time in Nascar Cup Series wins with 63.
His final race came Sunday at the Nascar All-Star Race, where he finished 17th.
Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, 11-year-old son Brexton and 4-year-old daughter Lennix.