Kurt Busch is making his racing return at the Race of Champions event when he will compete alongside Rally legend Travis Pastrana.
After officially retiring from NASCAR in August 2023 following a concussion obtained in a Pocono crash in 2022, Busch is set to compete on March 7-8 at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
Back in 2004, Busch took the NASCAR Cup Series championship victory. His career boasts 34 victories out of 776 Cup Series races, with memorable wins such as the 2017 Daytona 500.
Despite stepping away from full-time racing, the Race of Champions serves as a welcoming venue for Busch to return to the cockpit.
The Race of Champions isn't a new playground for Busch. He first took to the track in this event in 2014 at the Bushy Park Circuit in Barbados. His 2017 stint saw him teaming with his brother Kyle Busch in Miami's LoanDepot Park, where they finished as runners-up in the Nations Cup.
This year's competition sees Busch partnering with Rally legend Travis Pastrana for Team USA. Speaking about the upcoming partnership, Pastrana explained:
"There is no-one that I've seen at past Race Of Champions from America that's been able to jump in the cars and perform like Kurt Busch.
"I've talked to Kurt a few times over the past months and pleaded with him to come out of retirement since his crash in NASCAR.
"I would have loved to see another ultra-talented driver like Kyle Larson come to Race Of Champions as well, but he has a NASCAR race the same weekend.
"I said if I'm going all the way to Australia then it has to be with someone that can help me win it all for Team USA.
"Hopefully Kurt can teach me how to drive on tarmac. I'm so stoked that he has confirmed and we are going to do everything we can to win ROC Sydney for the USA."
Busch also commented on his Race of Champions entry:
"Race car drivers always push the limits to be the best, and drive to win.
"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's return comes after a tumultuous time in his career. Towards the end of 2024, the former NASCAR driver pled guilty to DWI charges. Commenting on the incident, Busch explained, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports:
"I take full responsibility for my recent DWI arrest and deeply regret my actions. I voluntarily completed a pre-trial assessment and followed all recommendations ahead of my court date.
"I'm committed to making amends, ensuring this never happens again, and returning to racing with a renewed focus. Thank you to everyone who has supported me."
Busch has also recently opened up on the lasting effects of his 2022 crash during an interview with Racer.com. He explained:
"I'm feeling much, much better since the summer wreck in 2022 and all of the different physical therapy, different neurologist visits.
"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."
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