The NASCAR driver died on May 21 after a case of pneumonia progressed into sepsis.

Kurt Busch breaks down in tears recalling final words to brother Kyle Busch on his deathbed

The NASCAR driver died on May 21 after a case of pneumonia progressed into sepsis.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

EW's editorial guidelines

August 21, 2026 1:41 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Kurt Busch on ‘Today’ in 2026; Kyle Busch at the Dover Motor Speedway in Dover, Del., in May 2026. Credit:

NBC News; Sean Gardner/Getty

- Kurt Busch is reflecting on his final moments with brother Kyle, who died in May.

- “I was there all day. Hoping, praying, hoping for a turnaround,” Kurt told Craig Melvin on *Today*.

- Months before he died, Kyle helped induct Kurt into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in January.

Kurt Busch is still mourning the loss of his brother Kyle Busch months after he died in May.

The NASCAR champion was overcome with emotion while reflecting on Kyle’s sudden death at 41 after a case of severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis. Kurt was at the hospital with his brother when he died. “I was there all day. Hoping, praying, hoping for a turnaround,” he told Craig Melvin in an interview for *Today*, adding that his father wasn’t in the hospital during Kyle’s final moments.

As for Kurt’s final words to Kyle, he recalled telling him at his deathbed, “I got you, man. Come on. I got you. Come on. Be strong.” Wiping away tears, he added that it “just wasn’t fair.”

Kurt also told Melvin about the culture of racing, where it’s not uncommon for the drivers to work through illness. “We’re independent contractors. We don’t have a union,” he admitted.

Kurt Busch and Kyle Busch at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., in April 2012.

Drew Hallowell/Getty

In January, Kyle honored Kurt during his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “I’ve been there since the beginning and seen every battle, pass, and win to get to this point,” Kyle wrote on Instagram of Kurt at the time. “Our family name is cemented in NASCAR history forever. Congrats big bro!”

As for what he misses most about his younger brother, Kurt said, “The on-track camaraderie. We could speak on track without saying a word...I miss the words that we never spoke to each other and the vibe that we had on track.”

How Kyle Busch will be honored in Indy500 tribute after his sudden death at 41

Kyle Busch’s wife reveals heartbreaking promise she made on his deathbed

Kyle, who was in the 22nd season as a full-time NASCAR driver, died on May 21 after he was hospitalized earlier that day with a “severe illness.” Days later, his family revealed that he died from sepsis.

“The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” the Busch family said in a statement to the Associated Press on May 23.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

Kurt spoke out after Kyle’s death with an emotional Instagram post, which featured throwback pictures of the brothers, along with recent pictures from their racing careers. “Finding a silver lining, I reflect back on the days Kyle and I raced anything we could get our hands on,” Kurt wrote in part.

“From big wheels to competing on the biggest stages in motorsports, we were more than just fierce competitors,” he added. “We pushed each other, challenged each other, and learned from each other.”

Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Charlotte, N.C., in January 2026.

David Jensen/Getty

Kurt continued, “Kyle, your passion, determination, and love for your family inspired everyone who knew you. No trophy, championship, or accomplishment could ever measure the impact you had on my life and on so many others. I will forever be grateful for the memories we made, the lessons you taught me, and the brotherhood we shared. My heart is broken, but I know your spirit will always ride with me.”

Watch Kurt Busch’s full conversation with Craig Melvin below.

- Celebrities & Creators

- Celebrity Death Tributes

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Celebrity”