Kurt Busch eyes racing comeback after medical clearance for Race of Champions
Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, has received medical clearance to return to racing and will compete in the Race of Champions (RoC) in Sydney on March 7-8. This marks his first racing engagement since a concussion forced him to step away from full-time NASCAR competition following a crash at Pocono in 2022.
Race driver wearing black hat
To prepare for his return, Busch has been actively participating in track days in Arizona and North Carolina, receiving support from racing veterans like Paul Tracy. He's also renewed connections with the Radford Racing School in Chandler, Arizona, where he initially honed his road racing skills in the 1990s.
The time away from NASCAR's demanding schedule has allowed Busch to explore other racing opportunities. He's showing interest in various series, including Trans Am and IMSA, as well as potential opportunities in European racing.
"When you're a racer and you're not reaching too far out and you're letting things come to you, it works on the racetrack, and it works off the racetrack, as well," Busch reflected. His participation in the Race of Champions represents not just a return to competition, but potentially a gateway to a new chapter in his racing career.
The veteran driver has approached his comeback methodically, updating his safety equipment and working with Alpinestars for new racing gear. While his exact future racing plans remain undefined, Busch expresses optimism that this RoC appearance will create opportunities for further racing engagements.