Kurt Busch gives update on NASCAR future after ROC appearance with Travis Pastrana

2017 Daytona 500 winner Kurt Busch has commented on the possibility of a NASCAR Cup Series return following his appearance at the Race of Champions alongside four-time Rally America champion Travis Pastrana.

The Nevada-born driver made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2000. Over his 23-year career in the top NASCAR series, Busch celebrated 34 race wins, 28 pole positions, and the 2004 championship title. He also secured the victory at the coveted Daytona 500 in 2017. 

In addition to his Cup Series run, Busch also took part in the Xfinity Series from 2006 until 2013. After his debut in 2006, Busch collected 5 wins and 3 pole positions.

During an interview with Speedcafe, Busch tempered expectations that his participation in the event in Sydney could lead to a NASCAR Cup Series return. He explained: 

“It’s been fun to do some track days, drive different people’s cars, all the way up to a Radical, I was doing 170 miles an hour in, so I got all the cobwebs out and the spider webs cleared.

“Yeah, this is the perfect step. I’m not going to go run a Cup car right now at 500 miles side-by-side with all the boys, right? And so it’s just the steps that it takes, and this is the perfect one. And so a ripple effect from this, positive or negative, will open up more doors.”

Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Russell LaBounty / NKP / Motorsport Images

In a separate interview in December 2024 with Racer.com, Busch opened up on the lingering effects of his NASCAR career-ending crash. He explained at the time:

“I’m feeling much, much better since the summer wreck in 2022 and all of the different physical therapy, different neurologist visits,” he says.

“It was taxing for a while. Basically every other day it was a doctor visit somewhere and going to get hearing checked, eyes checked, balance checked. The vestibular movements were what was greatly affected. I still feel the lingering effects but it has calmed down, and it has been through all the physical therapy and all the great doctors who have helped me.”

Despite his exit from racing in NASCAR, he continues to consult for his former team, 23XI Racing, which is co-owned by driver Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan. Busch’s brother, Kyle, also currently races in the Cup Series with Richard Childress Racing.