Kurt Busch Steps Away from Full-Time Competition

By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — In an emotional speech to the media corps at his hometown track, Las Vegas native and former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kurt Busch announced Saturday morning that he will not be competing fulltime in the series going forward.

Although Busch won’t be making another start in 2022 as he continues to recover from concussion-like symptoms suffered this summer, he remained hopeful that next year he will be able to run a few selected races for his 23XI Racing Toyota team.

“I’m still not 100 percent in my ability to go out and race at the top level in the NASCAR Cup Series,’’ Busch, 44, said, adding as his voice cracked in emotion, “My longtime health is priority one, and I don’t feel competing for a championship next year is in my best interest or the best interest of the team.’

“This is more of being unselfish and respecting what has to happen in this industry and that’s to know how to make a team move forward. I believe in 23XI and everyone here.

“And for me, I will get back to 100 percent. I promise.”

As Busch revealed his plans, he also confirmed that Reddick will be filling his seat in the No. 45 23XI Toyota next season. Currently with Richard Childress Racing, Reddick was signed to join the 23XI team in 2024, but the two organizations were able to work out a deal allowing Reddick to move a season earlier.

Busch, 44, is the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion and certainly his victory in the 2017 DAYTONA 500 is a highlight on his 34-race win career. He’s won at least one race the last nine-consecutive seasons. Only three times in 23 years of fulltime competition, did he not win at least one race. In both 2003 and 2004 he won a single season high four times.

The decision to step aside from fulltime racing comes after Busch suffered concussion-like symptoms following an accident in qualifying at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway on July 23. 

Although Busch said doctors had not cleared him to return this season, he was adamantly hopeful that he would be able to compete in select races in 2023. 23XI Racing team owner – and fellow NASCAR Cup Series competitor – Denny Hamlin said the team will absolutely field a third car to ensure Busch gets that opportunity when the time comes.

“I told Kurt, in this decision never feel like you owe the team anything, if anything the team owes you and we do feel owed to Kurt,’’ Hamlin said. “Any race he wants to participate in I will certainly field a third car for him.”

Hamlin was quick to remind that Busch’s time in the NASCAR Cup Series spanned an important 23 years in the sport competing against the late Dale Earnhardt to racing another seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson.

Busch made his debut as a 21-year old at Dover, Del. in 2000 finishing 18th. His last start this season, was a 10th place finish at New Hampshire. He won at Kansas Speedway this summer.

“The time he’s been in the Cup Series I don’t think there’s anyone who has been through a transition as he has,’’ Hamlin said. “From being the “outlaw” as they called it to maybe the most-liked person inside the garage. He’s just such a good person. He’s great with sponsors, great with team, everything I was hoping for, but more.’’

In the meantime, Busch will stay active with the team, working with his longtime sponsor Monster Energy, helping teammate Bubba Wallace and now Redddick in any way he can. And Busch, who for years has been a popular, on-air talent calling NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races on television, said a television gig is absolutely a possibility as well.

“There’s so much that’s out there,’’ Busch said.

NASCAR President Steve Phelps also expressed his hope that Busch returns to competition soon, offering his reflections on the former champion and what Busch has meant to the sport.

“For more than two decades, we have been privileged to watch Kurt Busch compete,’’ Phelps said Saturday. “He has proven himself a champion ion the racetrack, but perhaps just as importantly, he has grown to become a true ambassador for the sport.

“Kurt’s drive to improve the future of motorsports has set him apart. We are thrilled that he’ll remain in our sport as a leader and a trusted resource. Kurt’s unparalleled passion for racing gives us hop that we will see him in a race car again.’’

REDDICK’S EARLY MOVE

For his part, Reddick seemed very nonchalant about his upcoming team  transition – insisting that he personally had very little to do with any of the recent negotiations between Richard Childress Racing and 23XI Racing to move his tenure up a year to 2023.

“Their discussions, I had no part of, it was directly between 23XI and RCR,’’ Reddick said. “It was between those two and they came to an agreement and worked it out so that I get started a year early.

“Unfortunately, Kurt’s situation is what brought this opportunity about, which is a tough thing. It’s tough and I really hate to see that for him. But he’s a team player and I’ve seen that in his time outside the car.’’

“To be honest I never really felt like I was in limbo,’’ said Reddick, who was poised to run as part of a three-car RCR operation next year after the team signed two-time series champion Kyle Busch to drive the No. 8 that Reddick has steered for the past three seasons.

“Whichever direction it would go, I knew I’d be excited about,’’ Reddick added. “And it ended up going in a direction I get to start a year early with Toyota and 23XI.’’