Busch is now enjoying utilizing his “NASCAR PhD” in new ways, supporting 23XI’s racers (here with Tyler the Red Dick Reddick) and crew members. Matt Thacker/Motorsport Images

After a wicked crash at Pocono Raceway on July 22, 2022 in which Busch suffered major head injuries, he announced his retirement from the sport in August of 2023. Although he’s recovered, Busch admits he is still feeling some ill effects from that wreck.

“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.”

Although he’s no longer racing in Cup, Busch notes that he’s still actively involved in the sport and NASCAR culture.

“In 2024, once I knew I wasn’t going to be racing full time, I took a little bit of break and took a step back,” he says. “It was great to just be on the sidelines coaching a little bit with 23XI Racing and helping Tyler Reddick make the Final Four with just some of the little things that I can add. It’s great to have a home and a place in 23XI Racing to dump some of my years of experience on and to coach the next generation of crew chiefs and engineers, and the marketing team, the licensing team, and the sales team. It’s fun to have a PhD in the sport of NASCAR at this point.”

And, just maybe, we could yet see Kurt Busch back behind the wheel.

“Right now for 2025, I’m still endorsed with Monster Energy. I’m hopeful to get a light duty type of clearance to race from my neurologist, which would then open up some opportunity for me,” Kurt explains. “Whether it’s late model races, or I was invited to Race of Champions, which will be in Sydney in 2025. I’d love to go and represent the USA. This would give me an opportunity to go back for my third time.

“I still have to get through some more steps with the neurology. I still need to push my doctors to get that approval. And then too, you can’t just jump back in and go ride like a bull rider. If you get hurt, you don’t go jump back in and ride the biggest bull, right? You start with a little guy and work your way up. So go-karting, driving with friends, racing schools, using some of my brother’s race cars that are current. That would be the way to really step it back up and just see what 2025 can bring behind the wheel. We just have to keep it realistic and to keep it one step at a time.”