Is Kurt Busch retiring from NASCAR?

Kurt Busch opens the retirement discussion saying ‘I’m out’ as he cruises at 200 mph across bridges in Key West, Florida (Video)

Kurt Busch is entering his 21st year in the NASCAR Cup Series. As he unloads the No. 1 for Chip Ganassi Racing it will be his 20th full-time season in the sport.

Watch the Kurt Busch video below.

Busch is the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion. He’s won 32 races, includingthe big ones like the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600 and won last year at his home track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Between 2016 and 2020, Busch has collected a single win in each season. However, it’s not too far off from his career high of four wins in a single season which he did in 2002 and 2003.

Is Kurt Busch retiring?

Monster Energy has released a video promoting the upcoming NASCAR season. The Daytona 500 opens the 2021 season this Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.

The video opens with a fictitious NASCAR news broadcast. NASCAR broadcasters discuss the possibility of Kurt Busch retiring at the end of the 2021 NASCAR season. Busch watched the broadcast from a bar as he shakes his head.

Kurt Busch then gets a video call from Rob Gronkowski who retired from the NFL after the 2018 season. He then came back in 2020 and recently took the Superbowl win with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gronkowski tells Busch, “Don’t do it. Don’t retire, take it from me.”

The video continues as Kurt Busch smokes out Vanilla Ice with a traffic light burnout. Busch then proceeds to cruise the endless mile long bridges of Key West, Florida at 200mph.

The video in narrated by the voice of Kurt Busch as he reflects on his career. He then ends by saying “he’s done” with a plane flying into the sunset. But he then follows that up by stating “more checkered flags” are up for him in the future.

Kurt Busch - Key West Florida
Kurt Busch – Key West Florida

Kurt Busch: Letter

“I’m Kurt Busch and I love what I do. Because it feels like I’ve never worked a day in my life,” Kurt Busch narrates in the video.

“Is 200mph for everybody? It’s not for the faint at heart. A guy named Mario Andretti said, ‘If everything’s under control, you’re not going fast enough.’ “

“Winning is something my dad taught me when I was young. Winning gets contagious. When I go to the race track, I’m not there to make friends.”

“For me, the checkered flag is always the goal. It isn’t always winning, sometimes there is the tough days.”

“I have so many great memories. Friendships, people, sponsorships, the fans and all of it has made me who I am today.”

“I love the challenge of what this car, the tracks. And the adrenaline, what it does to my insides. Of course there’s butterflies, of course there’s nerves before a race. If you don’t have those, you’re not driven to win.”

“The lasting impression that NASCAR has given me is something I’ll cherish forever. Man, I’ve met some crazy people in this game, let me tell you. The sport of NASCAR will make you smile, from your soul.”

Kurt Busch and Chip Ganassi - NASCAR
Credit: DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 11: Kurt Busch, driver of the #1 Monster Energy Chevrolet, and team owner Chip Ganassi wait on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Bluegreen Vacations Duel #2 at Daytona International Speedway on February 11, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Busch talks retirement

“For me, sure, retirement’s out there. It’s on the line. Have I accomplished the things I want to accomplish though?”

“Man, I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do in NASCAR. I’ve won a championship, won Daytona, All-Star race winner. I even ran the Indy 500 a few years ago.” He added, “I did the NHRA Pro-Stock. I ran a rally car in Italy.”

“Yeah, I’ve got my bucket list items to go and race. But, is retirement for me? Am I ready to retire?”

“I’ve won it all, I’ve done it all. I’m so very satisfied. It’s been a great ride. Cool people, great sponsors, this is the life right here.”

“It’s all said and done, put a stamp on it. I’m out.”

“What’s next for me? A checkered flag. I’m just a racer.”

Busch concluded, “In NASCAR, our fans are the most supportive. Their energy, fuels us to win. And when we win and we’re chugging Monster Energy, that’s the type of energy right there that you can’t get anywhere else.”

So is Kurt Busch retiring from NASCAR? Who knows. The video below leaves too much speculation. At this time, there’s been no official announcement from the driver or the team.

Kurt Busch
Monster Energy Video
Shifting Gears
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Kurt Busch | Chip Ganassi Racing | Monster Energy | NASCAR

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