Shockwaves rippled through the motorsports world on Thursday following the death of NASCAR star Kyle Busch.
Busch died after being hospitalized with what officials described as a "severe illness."
No official cause of death has been announced. He was 41 years old.
Kyle Busch Radio Message Resurfaces After Sudden Death
Since news of Busch's passing broke, footage from one of his recent races has resurfaced across social media.
During the closing stages of the race at Watkins Glen International on May 10, Busch could be heard over team radio requesting medical assistance following the event.
The NASCAR driver asked his crew to have a doctor meet him at his bus after the race concluded.
"Can somebody try to find Bill Heisel? He's the kindred doctor guy," Busch said over the radio. "Tell him I need him after the race, please. I'm gonna need a shot."
During the broadcast, Mike Joy of FOX Sports noted that Busch had been battling what he described as a "sinus cold" throughout the week.
Before last Sunday's All-Star Race, Busch also spoke openly about still dealing with the illness.
"I'm still not great," he told reporters. "The cough was pretty substantial last week."
Earlier on Thursday, Busch unexpectedly withdrew from the Coca-Cola 600 field.
Officials initially cited a "severe illness resulting in hospitalization" as the reason for his absence.
A short time later, NASCAR confirmed the devastating news of his death.
"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 said in a statement.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community."
Shortly afterward, Busch's family, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR released a joint statement honoring the late driver.
"A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation," the statement read. "He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans. ... Nascar lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon."
The statement concluded by asking the public to "respect the family's privacy" while adding that "further updates will be shared as appropriate".
At the time of his death, Busch competed in his 22nd full-time season in NASCAR's top division, where he captured two Cup Series championships and recorded 63 race victories.
