“Honored” Kurt Busch shares heartfelt feelings on his racing return following breakthrough medical clearance

2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kurt Busch has expressed his feelings amid his confirmed return to racing. The legendary driver recently received a medical clearance to battle in the high-octane at the Race of Champions.

It's been more than two years since Busch's brutal crash during the qualifying at the Pocono Raceway in July 2022, which abruptly ended his NASCAR career. Though the 46-year-old kept the floor open for a campaign in the 2023 season, the lingering effects of concussion from the crash shattered his dreams.

But months after his DWI episode in August of 2024, which sentenced Busch to community service and a 60-day suspended jail sentence, the former driver reflected on himself and hinted at a racing return.

While NASCAR's gates seemingly look closed for Kurt Busch, as of now, Team USA wanted him, leading to his confirmed third appearance in the Race of Champions with rally racing phenom Travis Pastrana as his teammate.

"Race car drivers always push the limits to be the best, and drive to win,” Busch said in a statement. “That is what I have strived for my whole career, and to receive another invite from Race Of Champions is a chance to go up against the best of the best from around the world. What an honor!" Busch expressed his emotions via Race of Champions on X.

Busch, one of NASCAR's 75 greatest drivers, will represent his nation on March 7-8 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

When Kurt Busch expressed his thoughts after announcing his NASCAR exit

Kurt Busch is the first NASCAR Cup Series champion of the playoff era. The legendary driver boasts notable accolades like acing the 2010 Coca-Cola 600, winning the 2017 Daytona 500, 34 Cup Series race wins, triumphing in a battle with all engine suppliers -Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford, the 2000 Truck Series Rookie of the Year, and more.

The Nevada native began his 23rd season at the newly formed 23XI Racing, hoping to clinch another title after several missed opportunities in the past seasons. Moreover, the collaboration looked promising with Busch's multiple top-5s and the Kansas win from the first 20 races.

However, the brutal blow arrived at Pocono's 'Tricky Triangle' Raceway when he wall slammed his #45 Toyota so hard that it gave him major concussions, ending his NASCAR career on the spot.

“As I transition out of the driver’s seat, I can’t help but feel incredibly blessed to have spent the amount of time I did as a driver in NASCAR, and I could never have imagined that growing up as a blue-collar kid from Las Vegas. So many people have been part of my journey. I want to thank the fans, my family, friends, sponsors and team members. Thanks to everyone," Busch said via NASCAR.

Kurt Busch remained as a consultant and mentor for Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, he hasn't stepped into a competition Cup car since his crash.