Kyle Busch’s Family Confirms Death Caused by Severe Pneumonia and Sepsis

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch died from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, according to a statement provided by the Busch family Saturday.

"The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications," the Busch family statement read. "The Family asks for continued understanding and privacy during this difficult time."

Busch died Thursday at age 41. His family said earlier that he had been hospitalized with a "severe illness" days before he was to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Busch was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord, North Carolina, on Wednesday when he became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte, several people familiar with the situation told the AP.

Busch experienced shortness of breath, felt he was overheating and was coughing up blood the day before his death, according to a 911 call obtained Friday by ABC.

_Originally reported by [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/48852216/family-says-kyle-busch-died-severe-pneumonia-sepsis)._