CONCORD, N.C. — NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch found himself in bed scrolling through social media on his phone, growing more depressed with each post he read about Kyle Busch.
For the first time in his life, Zilisch had a hard time getting himself motivated to go to the race track.
He’s not the only one grappling with the sudden and tragic death of stock-car racing’s 41-year-old superstar.
Sunday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, 39 Cup Series drivers will return to the track for the Coca-Cola 600 just three days after the death of Busch, who had more wins (234) than anyone across NASCAR’s three national series and was a two-time champion in the top-tier Cup Series.
Severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis and resulted in rapid and overwhelming complications that led to Busch’s death, according to a statement released Saturday by his family.