Kyle Busch death certificate reveals new details on driver’s cause of death
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch was cremated in Mooresville, North Carolina, following his death last week, according to his death certificate first obtained by US Weekly.
The certificate revealed that Busch, 41, had been battling bacterial pneumonia for “days to weeks” before he died May 21 at 4:37 p.m. of natural causes. The pneumonia progressed into sepsis, which set in roughly one day before his death. The sepsis triggered disseminated intravascular coagulation, which is abnormal clotting throughout blood vessels that cuts off flow to organs. That was followed by hemorrhagic shock caused by severe bleeding. The DIC and hemorrhagic shock lasted for hours.
Busch’s family announced Saturday that severe pneumonia had progressed into sepsis, “resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”
There were multiple reports that Busch was visibly ill in the weeks before he died. FOX Sports reported he had asked for a doctor during the Cup Series race in Watkins Glen on May 10. “I’m gonna need a shot,” Busch said.
Kyle Busch’s career left a lasting mark on NASCAR, with achievements and moments that defined his time in the sport.
Above, Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrates with daughter, Lennix Busch son, Brexton Busch and wife, Samantha Busch in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fr8 Racing 208 at Echo Park Speedway on Feb. 21, 2026, in Hampton, Georgia.
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 8 zone/Thorntons Chevrolet, exits his car and reacts after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 30, 2024, in Lebanon, Tennessee.
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Feb. 22, 2025, in Hampton, Georgia.
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
See the most heartfelt moments with Kyle Busch and his family.
Kyle Busch’s career left a lasting mark on NASCAR, with achievements and moments that defined his time in the sport.
Above, Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrates with daughter, Lennix Busch son, Brexton Busch and wife, Samantha Busch in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fr8 Racing 208 at Echo Park Speedway on Feb. 21, 2026, in Hampton, Georgia.
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
On May 16, a day after winning a Truck Series race at Dover, he told The Athletic he was “still not great,” adding the prior week’s cough was “pretty substantial.”
On May 19, Busch attended the opening of an indoor karting facility in Durham, North Carolina, and posed for photos at his team’s race shop the following day.
Around 5:30 p.m. on May 20, a 911 caller reported someone at the General Motors Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina, was struggling to breathe, feeling very hot, thinking he was going to pass out and coughing up blood, according to a recording obtained by USA TODAY. The caller said the person was on the bathroom floor and asked responders to silence their sirens when they arrived.
Busch died at 4:37 p.m. the next day.
NASCAR, Busch’s team and his family jointly announced his passing less than an hour later at 5:30 p.m.
He is survived by his wife Samantha and their children Brexton, 11, and Lennix, 4. They made their first public appearance three days later at the Coca-Cola 600 for a pre-race tribute.
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