NASCAR great Kyle Busch was coughing up blood day before he died, 911 call says
A day before he died following a brief hospitalization, NASCAR champion Kyle Busch was coughing up blood while at a GM facility in North Carolina, according to the 911 call obtained by ABC News.
The 911 caller requested an ambulance come to the GM Charlotte Technical Center in Concord on Wednesday for an individual experiencing "shortness of breath" who was "very hot, thinks he's going to pass out."
The man was also "coughing up some blood," the 911 caller said.
"He's awake," the caller said. "He's on the bathroom floor right now."
The dispatcher said EMS was on the way.
The individual in distress is not identified on the call, though the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office released the audio in response to an ABC News request for the 911 call made on behalf of Busch.
The Associated Press reported that Busch was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday, when he was transported to a hospital in Charlotte.
On Thursday, Busch's family said the NASCAR great was hospitalized and undergoing treatment due to a "severe illness," and that he would not be competing this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Hours later, they announced his death at the age of 41 in a joint statement with his racing team and NASCAR.
"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 statement said.
His family did not provide details on his illness or cause of death.
The statement on his death hailed Busch as a once-in-a-generation talent.
"He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans," the statement said.
Busch won the NASCAR Cup Series twice -- in 2015 and 2019 -- and set records in national series wins. His two-decade career included 234 victories among all three NASCAR national series.
A photo tribute to Busch was seen on Friday outside Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Busch was set to run the Coca Cola 600 this weekend.
At a news conference on Friday afternoon, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell touted Busch's career and dedication to the sport.
O'Donnell noted how the driver would engage with fans and constantly voice his opinion to improve the sport.
"To me Kyle Busch defines what it means to be a racer in NASCAR," he said. "The sport was truly lucky to have him."
It was announced on Friday that Kyle Busch's No. 8 car will be retired and reserved for his son "when he is ready to go NASCAR racing."
"Richard Childress Racing has elected to suspend use of the No. 8 and will run the No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and beyond. 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," according to the statement from Richard Childress Racing. "No one can carry it forward to the level that he did. The No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch when he is ready to go NASCAR racing."
President Donald Trump offered his condolences on Friday, saying on social media that Busch was a "true talent who loved NASCAR and its fans."
"Rest in Peace Kyle Busch. You will always be a LEGEND!" he added.
ABC News' Victoria Arancio, Alexandra Fine and Ivan Pereira contributed to this report.
