Kyle Busch Was Lying on Bathroom Floor and Coughing Up Blood When 911 Call Was Made As NASCAR Star’s Cause of Death Is Revealed

Former NASCAR star Kyle Busch was reportedly found lying on a bathroom floor and coughing up blood the day before his death, according to reports. according to details from a 911 call obtained by The California Post.

In the audio, a man is heard desperately requesting an ambulance to the General Motors Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina, at about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday after the NASCAR star suffered what appeared to be a serious medical emergence. “I’ve got an individual that’s 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 man told dispatch.

Shocking New Details

“He is awake,” the man later added. “He’s awake. He’s on the bathroom floor right now.” The caller was also heard directing emergency responders on the fastest route to reach Busch once they arrived at the facility. Busch was later transported to a nearby hospital, where his family said he was being treated for “a severe illness.”

Less than a day later, the former NASCAR champion died Thursday at the age of 41. His family has since revealed that Busch died of severe pneumonia.

The family said doctors informed them that the pneumonia worsened and developed into “sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”

Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion and father of two, was taken to the hospital on Thursday after suffering from a serious illness that was not publicly identified. Hours later, NASCAR confirmed that he had died.

In a post shared on X at 10:23 a.m. ET on May 21, his family announced the news and said he would not be competing in this weekend’s race.

“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization,” the family wrote. “He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”

A Legend Is Gone

More details later revealed that Busch became unresponsive while testing a racing simulator in Concord, North Carolina, the day before he died and was rushed to the hospital, according to the Associated Press.

Later that day, at 5:46 p.m. ET on Thursday, Busch’s family, NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing released a joint statement confirming his death.

“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,” the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR said in a joint statement.

“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 became one of the most prominent names in motorsports over a career spanning more than 20 years, earning a total of 234 wins across NASCAR’s national series—including the Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and Truck Series—making him the winningest driver in the sport’s history.

He secured 63 wins in the Cup Series, placing him ninth on the all-time wins list, while also setting records in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with 102 wins and the Truck Series with 69 wins. Busch won Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019.