Kurt Busch 2018 ride? Driver speaking with teams

Will the 2004 NASCAR champion be on the grid in 2018?

Kurt Busch is without a ride for 2018.

Currently, Kurt Bush is in his 17th year of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing. He spent 4 years at Roush Fenway Racing [2001-2005, 6 years at Penske [2006-2011], 1 year at Phoenix Racing [2012], another single season at Furniture Row Racing [2013] and now he’s in his final season with Stewart Haas Racing [2014-2017].

Kurt Busch 2018 team
Photo: Stewart-Haas Racing

Kurt Busch 2018 ride?

Where we he go next?

“I don’t think there’s much to worry about,” Busch told NASCAR.com at the Watkins Glen International road course.

He continued, “The way the option came up, they didn’t choose it, so it actually gives me a lot of options. I’m optimistic about how the communications will go with all the situations. …with Ford, with Monster and with other teams.”

Monster Energy

Kurt Busch Monster Energy Girls
Photos: NASCAR Energy

Related: The Monster Energy girls have upset the fan base

Kurt Busch is in a unique situation. His co-primary sponsor is Monster Energy, who happens to also be the new primary sponsor of the sport itself. Upon this news coming across my desk, my original thought that it was Monster Energy wanting to put a kid in their car.

However, Kurt Busch states above that he’s talking with Monster Energy. That debunks my original theory completely. The comments above lead me to believe that Monster Energy is in Kurt’s corner.

Related: Monster Energy plans to bring the party to NASCAR

Is Monster going to follow Kurt wherever he goes? If so, that will make it fairly easy for him to find a new ride.

Related: Kurt Busch House Tour Video

Driver surprised

Busch admits he’s surprised to find himself in this situation. It appears many at Stewart Haas Racing are as well. The day the news broke Stewart Haas Racing tweeted, “We don’t comment on contract status, but we expect Kurt Busch back in our Monster Energy / Haas Automation Ford in ’18. Just sayin’.”

But that’s not going to be the case.

Kurt Busch Stewart-Haas Racing
Photo: Stewart-Haas Racing

It’s a surprise to most. Gene Haas has been a huge supporter of Kurt Busch. When Kurt Busch was going through his domestic court battle, Gene Haas stood by his driver’s side.

Related: Congresswoman Jackie Speier calls for Kurt Busch Suspension

Despite calls for the NASCAR driver’s suspension. Gene Haas has admit in his opinion to the press, “let it play out.” He was right. NASCAR suspended Kurt Busch. Though, that was the wrong call as Kurt Busch was proven not guilty in the domestic violence case. Team owner, Gene Haas, was supportive of his driver when everyone was out to get him.

Related: Kurt Busch will not be changed, NASCAR comments

Kurt Busch 2018 NASCAR contract
Photo: Stewart-Haas Racing

He’s the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion. Beyond that, Kurt Busch has qualified for the NASCAR playoff’s in 7 of 8 attempts.

“I just feel like everything will fall into place so there’s really not much to worry about.” Busch said.

…to have a Daytona 500 champion — who delivers eight figures in sponsorship money — in a free agency situation.

-Kurt Busch

The NASCAR champion concluded, “It’s a unique situation for our sport, though, to have a Daytona 500 champion — who delivers eight figures in sponsorship money — in a free agency situation.”

Kurt Busch has collected 29 NASCAR wins in his 17 year career. The most recent Daytona 500 winner has massed 253 top ten runs over 598 races. He’s set fast time in qualifying, 21 times.

Author: Shane Walters

Links

Kurt Busch
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Stewart-Haas Racing
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Monster Energy
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NASCAR
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