Kurt Busch has officially announced his retirement from NASCAR Cup Series racing. On Saturday, August 26th, Busch issued a heartfelt video on social media thanking his friends, crew members, sponsors, family, and fans.
Here is the video post shared by Busch on Saturday:
Thank you to everyone who helped me accomplish my dream. pic.twitter.com/QiNiqSx0U4
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) August 26, 2023
Busch, 45, states that he and his team of doctors agree that he will not be able to 100% overcome his injuries that were sustained in a crash at Pocono Raceway in 2022.
“Racing requires 100% of focus, heart, stamina and determination. I have never raced a day without all of that in mind. But sometimes Father time can catch up to your dreams. My incredible team of doctors and I have come to the conclusion that at this point in my recovery, there are just too many obstacles for me to overcome and get back to 100%,” Busch said in the video’s voiceover.
Busch continued by saying, “I am officially announcing my retirement from NASCAR Cup Series competition.”
The 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Busch was a true next-level talent behind the wheel of a stock car. The Las Vegas native amassed 34 victories over the course of a 23-year NASCAR Cup Series career. Busch won at least one race in 19 of his 23 seasons in the Cup Series.
In all, Busch ran 776 races at the NASCAR Cup Series level.
Busch accumulated 161 top-five finishes, and 339 top-10s, as well as 28 pole positions in his career. The racer was in the midst of a magical 2022 season, where he had won at Kansas Speedway in the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota Camry.
In the 21st race of the 2022 campaign, Busch crashed in the final round of qualifying, and suffered a severe concussion, which has sidelined him ever since. Busch attempted to rehabilitate in an effort to return to the 23XI Racing team.
Busch would not return for the remainder of the 2022 season, and last October, Busch announced his retirement from full-time NASCAR competition, in an emotional ceremony at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Less than a year later, Busch announced his retirement from racing altogether.
An ever-versatile talent, Busch started 12th and finished sixth in the 2014 Indianapolis 500, an effort for Andretti Autosport. He was also the 2003 International Race of Champions (IROC) champion. Busch also dabbled in NHRA drag racing in 2011, and he was part of the third-place finishing team on the podium for the 2008 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
Prior to moving to the NASCAR Cup Series, Busch recorded four victories in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Roush Racing in 2000, a season which resulted in a second-place points ranking. Busch was sent to the NASCAR Cup Series full-time in 2001.
Over the years, Busch ran for many of the biggest names in auto racing including Jack Roush, Roger Penske, Tony Stewart, Chip Ganassi, and Denny Hamlin.
Busch began his climb up the racing ladder in the Dwarf car ranks at Pahrump Valley Speedway. From there, Busch would get the call to pilot the No. 70 car for the Star Nursery Team for the 1997 Winter Heat Series at Tucson Raceway Park.
The Star Nursery team would bring Busch back for the 1998 and 1999 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Southwest Series, where Busch would win Rookie of the Year honors in 1998, and a championship in 1999.
