NASCAR champion Kyle Busch was coughing up blood the day before his death, according to a 911 call obtained by ABC News. The call, made on Wednesday, requested an ambulance for an individual at a GM facility in Concord, North Carolina, who was experiencing shortness of breath and felt he was going to pass out.

The 911 caller specified that the individual was also coughing up blood and was awake on a bathroom floor. While the caller did not identify the person in distress, the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office released the audio in response to a request made on behalf of Busch. Reports indicate Busch was testing in a Chevrolet racing simulator at the GM Charlotte Technical Center on Wednesday before being transported to a hospital in Charlotte.

Busch's family announced on Thursday that he had been hospitalized due to a severe illness and would miss the upcoming race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Hours later, they confirmed his death at the age of 41 in a joint statement with his racing team and NASCAR.

The statement from his family, racing team, and NASCAR described Busch's passing as "sudden and tragic." They hailed him as a "once-in-a-generation talent" who was "fierce, passionate, immensely skilled" and cared deeply for the sport and its fans. The family did not disclose the specific illness or cause of death.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (2015 and 2019), had a storied career spanning two decades. He amassed 234 victories across all three NASCAR national series, setting numerous records. NASCAR officials and the racing community remembered him as a "giant of the sport" who departed far too soon.

Busch was scheduled to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. Tributes and memorials have begun appearing, including a photo tribute displayed outside the speedway on Friday.

The news of his death sent ripples through the racing world, with many expressing shock and sadness. Busch's contributions to NASCAR were significant, marked by his aggressive driving style and numerous victories that cemented his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.

Further details regarding the circumstances leading to his hospitalization and subsequent death remain limited, as the family has chosen not to release specific information about his illness. The 911 call provides the most recent public information about his condition prior to his passing.