Kurt Busch is currently driving under a 1-year deal that expires at the end of 2018
Stewart-Haas Racing has young drivers in the pipeline. However, they fully expect Kurt Busch to remain in the #41 MENCS car for 2019.
NASCAR has seen a youth movement in recent years. However, that’s not a part of the game for SHR’s MENCS operation.
“SHR fully expects to have Kurt Busch back in it’s No. 41 Haas Automation/Monster Energy Ford in 2019 and has no other conversations regarding the No. 41 team,” Stewart-Haas Racing stated to Sports Business Daily.
At age 39, Kurt Busch isn’t the eldest of the four Stewart-Haas teammates. SHR drivers: Harvick Harvick (age 42); Kurt Busch (age 39); Clint Bowyer (age 38); Aric Almirola (age 34).
Kurt Busch signed the contract renewal late in the game during the off-season. That renewal didn’t become official until December. Kurt Busch is now under a 1 year deal that will again expire at the conclusion of the 2018 season.
The 2004 series champion has spent 19 years in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ranks. He joined the team in 2014. Since, he has won 5 races with the team. He’s made playoff rounds every year since with a best result of 7th in 2016.
Cole Custer
Waiting in the wings is 20-year-old Cole Custer.
Custer collected his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win with domination of the race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This came after missing the Championship 4 by just a single position at Phoenix. Custer maintained 5th position in the standings.
In 2017, Stewart-Haas Racing ventured into the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the first time. For 2018, that team essentially merged with Biagi-DenBeste Racing.
Recently, Cole Custer made his MENCS debut. That came at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and resulted in a 25th place running. Kurt Busch finished 35th due to a crash.
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