Opinion

I treat sepsis. NASCAR icon Kyle Busch’s death shows how fast it can kill

Pneumonia and sepsis impact over 300,000 Americans yearly, and athletes face unique dangers

By Dr. Janette Nesheiwat Fox News

Published May 28, 2026 5:00am EDT

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Kyle Busch’s death sparks discussion on pneumonia treatment, sepsis prevention

Emergency medicine physician Dr. Stephanie Widmer discusses NASCAR icon Kyle Busch’s death and highlights warning signs of severe pneumonia on ‘Fox & Friends.’

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The sudden death of NASCAR icon Kyle Busch from pneumonia complicated by sepsis is a heartbreaking tragedy that has stunned the sports world and the nation. Known for his fierce competitiveness and athletic endurance, Kyle represented strength and passion. His passing is a sobering reminder that infections can become deadly, even in young healthy, high-performing individuals.

Professional race car drivers are exposed to some unique medical and physiological health risks because of extreme gravity forces, heat, speed, vibration, fumes. This can cause respiratory irritation, heat illness, dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and, also, cardiac strain as adrenaline surges during a race leading to increased blood pressure and heart rate. Racers can sweat more than a gallon during a race. It’s an intense sport. Cardiovascular strength and endurance, head, neck and core strength are vital to thrive in racing. 

So, when infection hits, it can be dangerous without proper early intervention.

Pneumonia remains one of the most common infectious illnesses in the United States and is a leading cause of sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body’s response to infection spirals out of control and begins damaging its own organs and tissues. It........

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