Kurt Busch announced Saturday that he’s stepping away from full-time NASCAR competition in 2023 so he can focus on his long-term health as he recovers from a head injury that’s kept him out of a race car since July.
From his home track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway — where the NASCAR playoffs Round of 8 begins Sunday with the South Point 400 — 44-year-old Busch said he’s not back to being 100 percent healthy and has not yet been cleared to race again.
“The doctors have come to the conclusion that it is best for me to ‘shut it down’ for this season,” Busch said in part in a statement on Twitter announcing his plan to step away from full-time racing next season.
“My long-term health is priority number one, and I don’t feel committing at this point to compete for a championship next year is in my best interest or the best interest of the team.”
In his Twitter statement, however, Busch did not explicitly say he’s retiring and he continued emphasizing that.
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) October 15, 2022
Busch — who’s been racing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for 22 seasons — hasn’t been behind the wheel of the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota since July 23 when he crashed during a qualifying round at Pocono Raceway, suffering concussion-like symptoms.
From the Las Vegas track, Busch addressed the media after his announcement, and then he shared a heartfelt message to his NASCAR fans.
From the bottom of my heart… Thank you. pic.twitter.com/SbKt3Dmv3v
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) October 15, 2022
Busch, NASCAR’s 2004 champion, said:
“Just want to give you guys a shoutout and say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support this year and all the years. You guys have meant so much to me. Here in Vegas, I just felt like this was the time and the way the timing all worked out.
“But I’m not done racing! We’re still racing, we’re gonna have some fun with some other things all around the world, in NASCAR, all over. And again, just stay along for the journey. It’s still going to be a good ride. Love you guys.”
Busch is not the only driver to be out with a head injury this season. Alex Bowman has not raced since late September when he crashed at Texas Motor Speedway and suffered a concussion. Wednesday, Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports announced he won’t compete in at least the next three races at Las Vegas, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Martinsville Speedway as he continues recovering.
The recent head injuries in the sport — along with their reports of notably harder hits this season with the new Next Gen car — prompted several big-name drivers to speak out about the car and call for greater safety precautions from NASCAR.
In Busch’s absence, second-tier Xfinity Series driver Ty Gibbs has been filling in with 23XI.
But next season without the veteran driver, Tyler Reddick will take over piloting the No. 45 car. Reddick, currently driving for Richard Childress Racing, was set to join 23XI in 2024, but the two teams came to an agreement allowing Reddick to switch teams a season early, 23XI said in a statement.
Here's how some in the racing world reacted to Busch's announcement Saturday
Proud of u bro n all that u have accomplished behind the wheel! It sure won’t b the same out there without u. Excited to see what’s next. 👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/j2tpgMIPYl
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) October 15, 2022
The circumstances resulting in the seat being available are very unfortunate, but I am really excited to start my journey with @23XIRacing one year early! I https://t.co/WNAIih88Ve
— Tyler Reddick (@TylerReddick) October 15, 2022
I appreciate how @KurtBusch made every team he went to more productive. Not many drivers could do that. Hell of a talent. Excited to see what he does from here as he steps away from full time driving.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) October 15, 2022
Thank you, @KurtBusch. pic.twitter.com/yDKGWzW41H
— Ross Chastain (@RossChastain) October 15, 2022
Thank you for everything @KurtBusch💚 pic.twitter.com/RoWW4q9rEZ
— Ty Gibbs (@TyGibbs) October 15, 2022
We’ve had our ups and downs together.
I’m thankful for the journey and blessing to get to race with Kurt.Wish you the best in the next chapter of your life @KurtBusch 😊👍🏻 https://t.co/omJGpYsorf
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) October 15, 2022
What a great career you have had my amigo, it has been a pleasure racing against you over the last few years. I wish you best of luck for the future!! @KurtBusch pic.twitter.com/uCw5wSP4nP
— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) October 15, 2022
I don’t think anyone has done more in @NASCAR than @KurtBusch. An experience in this sport he hasn’t been in, doesn’t exist. Survived highs, lows, and everything in between. #Champion https://t.co/pLpJBZKiIA
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) October 15, 2022
Hate to see how severe the impacts have been in the Cup car this year. Multiple drivers out for at least several weeks, and Kurt Busch announcing retirement due, in part, to concussion symptoms. Hope we see improvements asap.
— Julia Landauer (@julialandauer) October 15, 2022
.@KurtBusch's accomplishments speak for themselves – 34 Cup Series wins, Cup Series champion, Daytona 500 winner, won races with all 3 current manufacturers, and I'm crediting him with the Cubs winning the World Series because why the hell not. Wishing happiness and good health. pic.twitter.com/W2TSpaxIFr
— nascarcasm (@nascarcasm) October 15, 2022
Kurt Busch is one of only 8 drivers in NASCAR history to win a Cup race over 20 years after his first win. Remarkable that even today he's still one of the best drivers in NASCAR. Here's hoping he can get back to 100% https://t.co/c2b9lwFEM8
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) October 15, 2022
2004 @NASCAR Cup Series champion @KurtBusch was the last to attempt to run the #Indy500 and Coke 600 on the same day.
Kurt’s retiring from full-time NASCAR racing, but is exploring running in big events on a part-time basis. pic.twitter.com/ogC5Odd1x0
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) October 15, 2022
