Samantha Busch gives thanks for 'countless acts of kindness' in wake of Kyle Busch's death

Samantha Busch said Friday that “the prayers, messages, flowers, meals, hugs, and countless acts of kindness have carried us through the most heartbreaking days of our lives” after her husband Kyle Busch’s death.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, died on May 21 at 41 after he contracted sepsis while dealing with a case of bacterial pneumonia. Busch’s death came hours after his family announced he had been hospitalized with a “severe illness” and would not be racing in the upcoming Coca-Cola 600.

In Samantha’s first Instagram post since Kyle’s death, she thanked people for their support. The Busches have a son Brexton and a daughter, Lennix.

“The love that has surrounded our family during this unimaginable time has brought comfort in the middle of so much pain,” she wrote. “Knowing the impact Kyle had on others and seeing how they are honoring him through each unique act of generosity is a true testament to how special Kyle is to so many people. There are moments when the weight of this loss feels impossible to carry, yet time and time again God, through you all, has shown us we are not alone.”

Busch’s 234 NASCAR national series wins are the most by any driver. In addition to 63 Cup Series wins, Busch is the all-time wins leader in NASCAR’s No. 2 O’Reilly Series and No. 3 Craftsman Truck Series.

His death certificate noted that Busch had bacterial pneumonia for “days to weeks” before he became septic. Busch was dealing with a cough during the May 10 race at Watkins Glen and requested a doctor over his radio at the end of the event.

According to 911 audio obtained by TMZ, a caller from the General Motors Charlotte Technical Center in North Carolina said that Busch was coughing up blood, had “shortness of breath” and was “very hot” while thinking he was going to pass out. Busch was at the tech center testing in a racing sim ahead of the 600.

Busch’s last NASCAR win came less than a week before his death when he won the Truck Series race at Dover. When he was asked after climbing out of his truck why winning never got old, Busch replied “because you never know when the last one is.”