NASCAR’s Kurt Busch Breaks Silence After Kyle’s Passing

Losing a close family member is difficult under any circumstances. When that person is also a major figure in the world of motorsports, the grief can take on an added layer of unreality.

That appears to be the case for Kurt Busch, who has spoken publicly about the death of his younger brother, NASCAR champion Kyle Busch. Kyle died in May after suffering complications from pneumonia, according to the family.

In a statement released after his death, the Busch family said a medical evaluation found that severe pneumonia had progressed into sepsis, leading to a rapid series of complications.

“The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” the family said, according to CBS News.

Since then, Kurt Busch has largely kept his grief private. But during an interview with Today this week, the NASCAR Hall of Famer opened up about the final hours he spent with his brother and the emotional toll of losing him so suddenly.

Kurt appeared visibly shaken as he recalled being at the hospital when Kyle died.

Asked how he learned that his brother had passed away, Kurt explained that he had been there throughout the day, holding out hope that Kyle’s condition might improve.

“I was there at the hospital,” he said. “I was there all day, hoping, praying, hoping for a turnaround.”

The interview became even more emotional when Kurt discussed the rest of his family and how they handled Kyle’s declining condition. He said their father struggled to bring himself to see Kyle while he was in the hospital.

Kurt, however, did go in.

When the interviewer asked what he said to his brother, Kurt paused before recalling his final words.

“I said ‘I got you man, come on. I got you,’” he said, becoming emotional. “‘I got you. Come on. Be strong.’”

Kurt then wiped away a tear and added a simple reflection on the loss.