NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion, suddenly passed away at the age of 41. Now, sports injury specialist Dr. Jesse Morse claims his death was “totally preventable” as more details about the circumstances surrounding his death have emerged.

NASCAR shared the news of Kyle Busch’s passing on social media late Thursday.

“We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport’s greatest and fiercest drivers. He was 41 years old,” NASCAR wrote. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing, and the entire motorsports community.”

The Busch family also released a statement: “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.

“Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records in national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series. His sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’”

The statement continued: “Our thoughts are with Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha’s parents, Kurt and all of Kyle’s family, Richard and Judy Childress, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, his teammates, friends and fans. NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon.”

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch
According to reports, Busch had been hospitalized with pneumonia before his death, which later led to sepsis. Just weeks before he passed away, he reportedly contacted team doctors during a NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen requesting a “shot.” Busch said he wasn’t feeling well and believed he was suffering from a sinus infection.

He later told reporters he had a “substantial” cough, according to UNILAD. NBC also obtained a 911 call from the General Motors training facility, during which a caller reported that Busch was lying on the bathroom floor and coughing up blood.

Now, Dr. Jesse Morse, a sports injury specialist, believes Busch may have been suffering from “walking pneumonia,” which he said can linger for weeks. According to Morse, Busch’s death was a “totally preventable situation.”

“It sounds like he suffered a sinus infection. About two-ish weeks ago that he was dealing with in that initial race when he called in,” the doctor said in a video posted on X, according to UNILAD.

“But that sinus infection somehow evolved to become pneumonia, and that pneumonia eventually progressed to what is called sepsis, and then eventually that is what killed him.

“So the shot he was asking for was probably either a cortisone shot to help him with the pain, the inflammation, the coughing, or maybe a shot of antibiotics.”

“This was preventable”
Morse added that the shot was clearly not enough and that IV antibiotics would likely have been necessary.

“Unfortunately stubbornness and determination, alongside the lack of medical guidance prevented him from getting the care he needed, the IV antibiotics he needed in a hospital setting to monitor his vitals.

“This would have prevented the pneumonia from interacting with the bloodstream and becoming rampant throughout the whole body.”

Morse continued: “A healthy 41-year-old elite athlete does not normally die from a simple pneumonia. There were several things that were missed here.

“Now, is there a possibility that if he was placed into the hospital and put on IV antibiotics, this was preventable? 100%”

“This was preventable, and that’s what makes this so sad. Not only was he a great driver, husband, friend, father, but now he’s just a sad story.”