Kurt Busch suffered a concussion in a wreck while trying to win the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway last year. Since that point, Busch has been out of the car as he has not been cleared to compete.
If the 2004 Cup Series champion didn’t suffer that concussion, he would have been competing in his final full-time NASCAR season alongside Stewart-Haas Racing driver and 2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick.
However, that was not a part of the journey for Busch and now he is looking to return to the Cup Series. If what Busch said after the weekend at Circuit of the Americas is true, this could be coming sooner rather than later.
Related: Kurt Busch reveals his chances of becoming an owner of 23XI Racing
Kurt Busch looking to return to the NASCAR Cup Series with 23XI Racing
Busch was a part of the FOX Sports booth during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas and it was the perfect event for him to commentate. Tyler Reddick, the driver who replaced Busch, dominated the race and took the No. 45 Monster Energy Toyota to victory lane.
The 44-year-old was emotional as Reddick went through the final lap as he should have been in that No. 45 car for 23XI Racing. With the team securing Toyota’s first Cup Series win of the season, it is hard to think what could have happened for Busch in his final full-time year.
Busch hopped on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio this week and talked about his progress toward being medically cleared. It sure sounds like Busch wants to return to the Cup Series when the opportunity presents itself.
“Yeah, I just have to take the steps to get back to full-time or a (NASCAR Cup Series) car. That starts with go-karts, simulator work. I could call (Kyle Busch) and go run his late model at (Hickory Motor Speedway). I gotta go and bang out like 300, 400 laps and see how things go. That’ll be the next step. But, there is a 3rd car possibility at (23XI Racing). But, it’s a big time sport, big time sponsors, and things. We’ll have to get things arranged and line things up when that opportunity comes up.”
Kurt Busch on returning to the NASCAR Cup Series
This is a positive update as Busch could be back behind the wheel of a racing vehicle soon. If his mind and body can withstand the pressure of racing, a return will for sure be in the cards as 23XI Racing can enter him into an event.
Since 23XI Racing only has two charters, it can enter a third car into any race over the course of the 2023 season. This is what happened in the Daytona 500 when Travis Pastrana piloted the No. 67 car for the team to an 11th-place finish.
In fact, 23XI Racing has been preparing the No. 67 car in hopes that Busch would return to competition this season. It makes sense for Busch to pilot the entry wherever he wants to race if medically cleared.
The hope is that he can return sooner rather than later after a full recovery so he can go out on his own terms. NASCAR is a better place with Busch and based on his approach after his concussion at Pocono, it looks like we will see plenty of him no matter what.