Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, has been on a journey of recovery and reflection since his career-altering crash during qualifying for the 2022 M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono Raceway. The incident, which occurred on July 23, 2022, left him medically disqualified and eventually led to his formal retirement from full-time NASCAR competition in August 2023 due to lingering concussion symptoms.
Reflecting on his career, Busch expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had: “As I transition out of the driver’s seat, I can’t help but feel incredibly blessed to have spent the amount of time I did as a driver in NASCAR,” he said. Alongside Kyle, Kurt is one-half of the most successful brothers due to race in NASCAR. But, as time goes on, it looks like his days of racing on ovals are getting out of reach.
This is something that even Busch is feeling right now despite getting back on track and competing in races. The former 23XI Racing driver is partnering up with Travis Pastrana to compete in the Race of the Champions, which be Kurt’s first big event after being sidelined from NASCAR. For Kurt Busch fans this was an encouraging sight, and who knows, this event might eventually lead him back into a Cup car.
Kurt Busch comes clean on possibilities of his NASCAR comeback
Although there’s a possibility of Busch making his NASCAR return, it’s not his only focus. “It’s to get back into anything, whether it’s an opportunity to do sports car stuff, rally, drag racing like I did before. We’ll see. We’ll see what my body tells me and the fun level, you can’t beat that here a Race of Champions.” The Las Vegas, Nevada native said this in an interview with Speedcafe.
“I poured my heart and soul into it for 23 years, won a bunch of stuff, wrecked a bunch of stuff, and all in all I was fulfilled. And so whether it ended there or I get back in the car later on, who knows? It was a good career that I can look back on and go, you know what? Two thumbs up.” He added.
Kurt Busch has a 34 Cup Series win, a Daytona 500 trophy, and the 2004 Championship title. So he’s won everything that a driver needs to solidify their spot in the Hall of Fame. So, his NASCAR story is all but complete, maybe a good send-off or a fairytale end with one appearance might be on his bucket going forward.
Speaking about his recovery, in 2024 Busch opened up about the after effects of the crash at Pocono. Although the initial phase was too challenging for the former Cup Series driver, he eventually turned a corner for good. “I still feel the lingering effects but it has calmed down, and it has been through all the physical therapy and all the great doctors who have helped me. I’m feeling much, much better since the summer wreck in 2022 and all of the different physical therapy, different neurologist visits.”
Although the ovals of NASCAR are not within Busch’s reach, he will look to get his racing juices flowing at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. The RoC is going to be a two-day event that sees some of the best drivers from multiple motorsports disciplines go head-to-head in nation versus nation individual battles. Looking at the lineup, Busch will have his work cut out. The likes of Sebastian Vettel, Mick Schumacher, and Valtteri Bottas will all be competing at the event.
Interestingly, the Busch brothers have previously competed in the RoC event back in 2019. The event was held at the Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. Despite having a strong run, team USA had to settle for a runner-up finish in the Nations Cup and Juan Pablo Montoya took the crown of Champions of Champions. Needless to say Kurt Busch had some unsettled business when it comes to RoC events and he will be eyeing the top spot this time around in Australia.
The post Three Years After NASCAR Exit, Kurt Busch Announces 7-Word Devastation as He Eyes Cup Series Return appeared first on EssentiallySports.