What Happened Before Kyle Busch Passed Away? New Reports Share Details

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Multiple reports are shedding light on what happened before Kyle Busch suddenly passed away Thursday.

Hours after Busch's family posted on social media that he had been hospitalized with a "severe illness" and would miss the upcoming weekend's events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR released a joint statement with Richard Childress Racing and the family confirming he had passed away.

According to people familiar with the situation who talked to The Associated Press, Busch was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday when he became unresponsive and was taken to a hospital in Charlotte. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity as the details haven't been disclosed by Busch's family.

TMZ obtained a 911 call from that day, detailing how Busch was awake but was experiencing a shortness of breath, felt warm and believed he was going to pass out, among other startling details. The caller asked dispatch to turn of the sirens when they approached the facility, advising he would guide them in.

Busch's death comes two weeks after he was dealing with a sinus-related illness at Watkins Glen International. During the race, he made a request for medical assistance afterward.

"Can somebody try to find Bill Eisel, the Hendrick doctor guy? Tell him I need him after the race," Busch said. "[Have him meet me at the] Bus, I'm going to need a shot."

A week later at Dover Motor Speedway, Busch told media members he hadn't completely recovered from what he was dealing with.

"You can still hear it, I'm still not great, but the cough and breathing isn't as substantial as last week," Busch answered in response to a question from The Athletic's Jeff Gluck about his condition.

However, Busch competed in all three days of on-track action at Dover, winning a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Friday, qualifying Saturday for the NASCAR All-Star Race and competing Sunday in the All-Star Race. 

"You never know when the last one is going to be, so cherish them all. Trust me," Busch said after his win, which was his 69th in the Truck Series and 234th in NASCAR's national series.

Busch was also seen Tuesday at the opening of an Andretti Karting facility in Durham, North Carolina, with Mario Andretti, who reportedly expressed shock over his death.

Fans had even reportedly just met with Busch the day before his death.

Busch had just turned 41 years old back on May 2 but was still going strong, likely with another few years of NASCAR racing left in him, even as he was in the middle of his 22nd season of racing full-time. He also raced with his son, Brexton, who had just turned 11 years old on Monday.

"Happy Birthday Brexton!!! Your mom & I are so proud of who you’re turning out to be! You’re the best kid on & off the track, you amaze us every day. Keep doing what you’re doing and there is no limit to what you’ll accomplish! Love you buddy!" Busch said in what was his final social media post.

NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell is set to hold a press conference Friday at 5 p.m. ET. It's likely O'Donnell will address Busch's death but it's unclear what exactly he will talk about. We will have updates on the press conference and you can watch it here: