Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR champion who took a break from racing last season due to a significant concussion, formally announced his retirement on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.
At the age of 45, Busch struggled to hold back his emotions as he announced his decision to step away from the sport, doing so on the very stage where he had celebrated one of his most memorable victories – the 2017 Daytona 500.
In his announcement, Busch expressed that he was giving up racing due to the toll that age was taking on his body. He mentioned that he had been dealing with health issues like arthritis and gout, which were exacerbated by a rear-impact collision that had rattled his brain and hindered his recovery.
Despite his retirement, Busch emphasized that he was content with his career and had no regrets about his time at the top level of NASCAR. His younger brother, Kyle Busch, was present at the announcement along with several NASCAR executives and fellow drivers.
Kurt Busch, originally from Las Vegas, suffered a significant concussion during a qualifying crash at Pocono Raceway the previous summer. The crash raised concerns about car safety, particularly with regards to rear-impact collisions. NASCAR made adjustments to its cars during the offseason to address these concerns.
Busch indicated that he was still making progress in his recovery and intended to eventually return to racing, although he did not provide a specific timeline for his comeback.
Over his 23-year career in the Cup Series, Busch won 34 races in 776 starts. He has taken on a consulting role with 23XI Racing and Toyota and has been supportive of fellow drivers in the garage.
In his retirement announcement, Busch acknowledged that competing at NASCAR's highest level demands immense focus, determination, and physical stamina, but he recognized that he couldn't currently meet those requirements on a consistent basis.