Kyle Busch died after pneumonia led to sepsis complications
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, 41, tragically died of severe pneumonia that led to sepsis, his family confirmed. Dr. Cedric Rutland, a pulmonary critical care physician and spokesperson for the American Lung Association, explains how the inflammation and infection of pneumonia can overwhelm the body.
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Brexton Busch, the 11-year-old son of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, returned to the track Tuesday for the first time since his father’s death nearly two weeks ago.
Busch ran practice laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of the CookOut Summer Shootout, a Legend Car Series race. Kyle Busch, 41, died unexpectedly late last month after a battle with pneumonia turned into sepsis.
A private memorial for Busch was held Tuesday afternoon. The family announced that a public memorial would be held later this year.
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, and his son Brexton Busch walk on stage during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fr8 Racing 208 at Echo Park Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, 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 AT AGE 41 AFTER HOSPITALIZATION
“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. Kyle, a future Hall of Famer, was a rare talent, one that comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, passionate, immensely skilled and 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, making 762 career starts with 63 wins. The 41-year-old won the championship in 2015 and 2019 and had 234 wins across NASCAR’s three 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 dominant victory in the Truck Series.
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, Georgia, on February 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 was eligible to use it.
“Richard Childress Racing has decided to discontinue use of the No. 8 and will use 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 he achieved.
“The No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch when he is ready to compete in NASCAR.”
Brexton, 11, has been a promising runner for some time now. In recent years, Kyle had spent much of his racing season following Brexton 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, Alabama on October 14, 2018. (Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports)
Samantha Busch is among the most active racing wives on social media and has spent several years documenting Kyle and Brexton’s racing life.
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Earlier this year, Brexton raced against his father for the first time at the Tulsa Shootout.
The age limit to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series is 18 years old. However, Brexton would be eligible to compete in the Truck Series when he turns 16.
