APTOPIX NASCAR Charlotte Auto Racing

An in memoriam photo of former driver Kyle Busch is displayed on the video board of the backstretch at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C.

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NASCAR's Kyle Busch was short of breath, coughing up blood day before his death, 911 call reveals

NASCAR's Kyle Busch was short of breath, coughing up blood day before his death, 911 call reveals

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch died Thursday at age 41. A 911 call obtained Friday reveals he experienced shortness of breath, felt overheated, and was coughing up blood the day before. Busch was hospitalized with a “severe illness” three days before he was to compete in the Coca-Cola 600. He became unresponsive while testing in a Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday. An emergency call from the General Motors training facility described his symptoms. Busch was found on the bathroom floor, awake, and emergency responders were directed to the scene.