NASCAR's Kyle Busch detailed his health struggles before dying of 'severe illness' at 41
Just days before he suddenly died of a 'severe illness', NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch gave his fans an update on his health.
News broke yesterday (21 May) that the 41-year-old had died, with racing organisers sharing an emotional statement online.
Having received confirmation from Busch's family, they said: "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.
"Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled, and he cared deeply about the sport and fans."
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Elsewhere, the team issued their condolences to Busch's wife, Samantha, whom he married on New Year’s Eve in 2010, and their two children, son Brexton, 11, and four-year-old daughter, Lennix.
In the hours prior to his passing, Busch - whose official cause of death hasn't yet been announced - and his family shared a joint statement confirming he'd been diagnosed with an undisclosed condition, and was 'currently undergoing treatment'.
He'd become unresponsive while testing the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday, requiring him to be taken to a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina.
"[He] will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway," they added. "We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation."
In the weeks before that, the two-time Cup Series winner had requested medical attention during his 10 May race at Watkins Glen International.
In a radio transmission recorded that day, Busch - who'd been suffering a sinus cold at the time - could be heard saying: "Can somebody try to find Bill Heisel? He’s the kindred doctor guy.
"Tell him I need him after the race, please," he added. "I'm gonna need a shot."
Earlier this year, the sportsman wound up in hospital after sustaining a serious wound to his leg after a stool he'd been standing on broke.
"I land on my feet, and I’m holding on the walls, like, 'I’m good, everything’s fine, I’m alright'," he recalled during an episode of his wife, Samantha's Certified Oversharer podcast in March.
He added that his son had rightly pointed out at the time that he was, in fact, not alright, and was bleeding heavily - a wound that would later require 24 stitches.
"As soon as he said 'You’re bleeding,' I looked down, and I looked, and it’s not like you’re bleeding like a nosebleed," the driver explained. "It is like pouring. You’re gushing."
Busch also sustained a compound leg fracture and a broken foot in 2015 following a crash that cost him a position at 11 races that season.
He told ESPN at the time: "I could have had a serious neck or head injury or even worse. To us, we pray to God and are thankful for it, that I'm still here and actually able to be part of the birth of our son."
Busch added that Samantha had massively aided his recovery.
He continued: "Samantha and I share a lot of respect and love for one another, but I don't think anything has come as close as this experience that we've had to deal with, with her being there by my side and helping me.
"It's been awesome to have her, just her helping me."
Rhianna Benson