Kurt Busch all set to return for racing action years after forced NASCAR retirement

NASCAR veteran Kurt Busch was forced to retire in 2023 after a concussion he suffered during a practice session at Pocono Raceway. However, he has recently been medically cleared to compete in the 2025 Race of Champions, scheduled for March 7-8.

Kurt Busch, now 46, was once considered one of the most consistent drivers in the sport, winning at least one race every year between 2016 and 2022. Currently, a consultant with 23XI Racing and brand ambassador for Monster Energy, the Las Vegas native won 34 races in the NASCAR Cup Series and clinched the championship title back in 2004, the same year NASCAR introduced the 'Chase for the Championship' playoffs format.

Busch will come out of retirement to pair with multi-time X Games gold medalist, Travis Pastrana, under the banner of Team USA. In a recent video posted by Race of Champions on X, Pastrana was seen video chatting with his soon-to-be teammate. He asked:

“I need the official (announcement). Kurt Busch, will you get off the couch, will you get off retirement and will you come help me win the Race of Champions for America?”(00:26)

Busch agreed. He added that he wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else but Pastrana. Ahead of the star-studded race which will be held at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia, Fredrik Johnsson, president and co-founder of Race Of Champions said (via Race of Champions):

“We were very happy when Kurt confirmed that he has received his medical clearance and will be making his return to racing as part of Team USA with Travis Pastrana at the Race Of Champions.”

Besides Busch and Pastrana, four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas, and Mick Schumacher will also contend for the win. Also in the lineup are Supercars champions Will Brown and Jamie Whincup. Tickets for the event are now available through Ticketek.

Kurt Busch extends his heartfelt support for survivors of Californian wildfire

Among the biggest headlines in the USA are the Palisades and the Eaton wildfires caused by speeding winds across the Los Angeles area. The catastrophic event has reportedly killed 24 people.

Reflecting on the situation, Kurt Busch tweeted:

“My thoughts are with everyone impacted by the dangerous fires in Southern California, especially my friends, my racing fans, and loved ones who are enduring unimaginable challenges.”

“A heartfelt thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are risking their lives everyday,” he added.

Over 90,000 civilians have been handed immediate evacuation orders and 89,000 are in evacuation warning zones, meaning they will have to leave the vicinity on notice. As per CBS News, curfews are being enforced from 6 am to 6 pm every day.