DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kurt Busch is one of just nine drivers that have won both the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series championship. That earns him the prestigious honor of being among the men that give the command to start engines before Sunday’s 65th Daytona 500.
Busch would rather be strapping himself into the 23XI Racing Toyota as one of the 40 drivers that will compete in NASCAR’s biggest race on Sunday.
But a hard-hit and the lingering effects of a concussion have forced Busch to step away from racing competition as a driver. He remains on the team as a driver coach and consultant, but in the interest of his personal health and safety, his days behind the wheel have probably come to an end.
“I know from right here I’m not 100 percent to race against these guys, the best of the best, at this level,” Busch said. “Could I do an SCCA Club race next week? It’s probably not wise.
“Go-karting has been fine, and the simulator has been fine, it’s just when I have the head in the headrest, that moment bothers me.
“The progress I have made since August, I believe will be a full recovery.”
Busch won the 2004 Cup Series championship and the 2017 Daytona 500. He has also won 34 Cup Series victories in his career.
Busch’s last win came at Kansas Speedway last season. (HHP/Tim Parks)
“This is a very special honor,” Busch said Friday at Daytona International Speedway. “I was choked up about it when I was notified earlier this week. To reflect on some of the accomplishments and race teams I have been with, woah.
“This is Richard Petty and Bobby Allison and a group of legends – true racers. To be part of it, I’m very humbled; I’m blown away by it. It’s a very unique opportunity.
“I’ve got my championship ring, my leather jacket, I’m going to bring it in from the young guy’s side. We’ll have fun with this moment of having them start their engines.”
Busch said he is doing well in terms of recovery. His everyday life is normal, and he is working with a physical therapist. He admits he gets fatigued from the workouts and has switched up the plan to create core strength.
“I notice things that bring me up and break me down and I have to do a day on and a day off,” Busch said. “I was pushing seven days a week trying to get back in the car, but in all honesty, I took December off. It was an emotional time and that is part of this process as well.
“I’m doing well. I have a consulting role with 23XI, I’m an ambassador with Monster Energy and of course my relationship with Toyota.”
When Busch scored the Daytona 500 win in 2017, it was a long fuel strategy run that helped him get to the checkered flag in a classic 50-lap duel of drivers conserving fuel while being in position to be up front.
“Tony Gibson, my crew chief at the time, said we were good for 48 laps, but not 50,” Busch recalled. “He needed me to save fuel.
“I had zero intention of leading any of those laps other than the last one. Guys started running out of fuel.”
Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., Chase Elliott was among the top drivers that ran out of fuel. Kyle Larson’s car started sputtered and then Ryan Blaney started chasing down Busch’s car.
“That was one of the last true runs at the end,” Busch said. “It is circumstantial, but you have to be in position to be in that position to win.
“Bubba Wallace has done a great job of doing that and being in contention. Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin – you can see the ones that put themselves together to be in position to do that.
“Then you have to have lady luck on your side.”
Busch said he is happy with his current role. He is working with young Toyota driver Ty Gibbs, last year’s NASCAR Xfinity Series champion who is a Cup Series rookie at Joe Gibbs Racing.
Busch (left), talks with Travis Pastrana during Cup Series qualifying on Wednesday. (HHP/Tom Copeland)
Toyota asked Busch to wrap his arms around Gibbs and help him prepare as part of the Toyota team.
“I’m doing everything the same, except not putting the helmet on, I’m putting a radio on for practice, qualifying and the race,” Busch said.
He focuses most of his time working with 23XI drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. He has seen improvement with Wallace as an extra set of eyes and ears on the team.
Busch said his average finishes in the second half of the season were better than Busch’s average finishes in the first half of the year before his concussion.
He saw confidence and swagger from Wallace in Thursday’s Bluegreen Vacations Duels race, bringing the car back to the garage without a scratch on it.
Reddick tried to draft with team owner Denny Hamlin numerous times, but Busch said he needs to be more aggressive.
“It’s just trying to find those last few things that will make a big difference on Sunday,” Busch said. “I have a great relationship with Monster Energy and Toyota and that is why you see me at the race track, working just as hard as when I was racing.
“Once you see the green light from the doctors, maybe I can consider coming back.”
Busch said he is fine with what fate has dealt him. He appreciates that Kevin Harvick will get to have his retirement tour this year, and Busch can remain on the sidelines.
“To have this opportunity to race in this sport for 23 years, I’ve hit all the high notes and low notes,” Busch said. “I have a smile on my face because I’m happy.
“I’m doing exactly what I want to do. I don’t want to own a race team. I was getting older and don’t want to drive full-time. I have a PhD in the garage to give back to young drivers and young engineers.”
Keyword: Busch: ‘I Have A Smile On My Face Because I’m Happy’