Kyle Busch died after pneumonia led to sepsis complications
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, 41, tragically died of severe pneumonia that escalated to sepsis, his family confirmed. Dr. Cedric Rutland, a pulmonary critical care physician and spokesperson for the American Lung Association, explains how pneumonia and infection can overwhelm the body.
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Brexton Busch, the 11-year-old son of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, returned to the race track Tuesday for the first time since his father’s death nearly two weeks ago.
Busch drove practice laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway prior to the CookOut Summer Shootout, a Legend Car Series race. Kyle Busch, 41, died unexpectedly late last month after a bout with pneumonia turned into sepsis.
A private memorial was held for Busch on Tuesday afternoon. The family announced that a public memorial would take place later this year.
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, and his son Brexton Busch take the stage during driver introductions before the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fr8 Racing 208 at Echo Park Speedway in Hampton, Ga., on Feb. 21, 2026. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
“On behalf of the Busch family, everyone at Richard Childress Racing and all of NASCAR, we are devastated to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch,” the family said in a statement following Busch’s death on May 21.
TWO-TIME NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION KYLE BUSCH TRAGICALLY DIES 41 YEARS AFTER HOSPITALITY
“Our entire NASCAR family is devastated by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, a once-in-a-generation talent. He was tough, he was passionate, he was tremendously talented, and he cared deeply about the sport and the fans.”
Brexton Busch has a NASCAR ride at RCR
Busch was a two-time Cup champion and undoubtedly a future Hall of Famer. He had been in the Cup Series since 2004 and had 762 career starts with 63 wins. The 41-year-old won the championship in 2015 and 2019 and had 234 wins across all three NASCAR national series.
Busch holds the all-time record for wins in both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (102) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (69). Busch’s 234th and final NASCAR victory came at Dover a week before his death, when he led 147 laps in a dominating Truck Series win.
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, is congratulated by his son Brexton Busch after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fr8 Racing 208 at Echo Park Speedway in Hampton, Ga., on Feb. 21, 2026. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
A day after his death, car owner Richard Childress told reporters that RCR would suspend use of Busch’s No. 8 until Brexton is eligible to use it.
“Richard Childress Racing has elected to suspend use of the No. 8 and will run the No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and beyond,” the team said in a statement. “Kyle Busch was instrumental in the design of RCR’s stylized No. 8, and it has become synonymous with Kyle and an important symbol for his fans and the NASCAR industry. No one can take it to the level that he did.
“The No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch when he’s ready to do NASCAR racing.”
Brexton, 11, has been an up-and-coming racer for some time now. In recent years, Kyle had spent much of his own racing season following Brexton around during the week.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha stand before the start of the 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., on Oct. 14, 2018. (Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports)
Samantha Busch is among the most active of the drivers’ wives on social media and has spent several years now documenting life with both Kyle and Brexton racing.
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Earlier this year, Brexton raced against his father for the first time at the Tulsa Shootout.
The age limit to drive in the NASCAR Cup Series is 18. However, Brexton would be eligible to race in the Truck Series when he turns 16.
