Former NASCAR driver Kurt Busch has opened up about the lingering effects of the crash that ultimately ended his racing career.
Busch, a former Cup Series champion, retired following injuries sustained during his time with 23XI Racing. The devastating crash, which occurred during a practice session for the 2022 Pocono Cup race, left Busch with a concussion and significant vestibular issues. Initially hopeful for a recovery and return to racing, the extent and persistence of his injuries rendered that aspiration unattainable.
On July 23, 2022, Kurt Busch’s promising racing career came to an abrupt halt during the Pocono Cup race’s qualifying rounds. The severity of the crash was such that it caused vestibular issues, a complication that has continued to affect his everyday life and forced his decision to step away from the competitive racing scene.
Faced with the aftermath of the crash, Busch started on an intense rehabilitation journey. He explained during an interview with Racer.com:
“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.”
Fast forward to over three years since the crash, and while Busch no longer races full-time, he hasn’t completely left the NASCAR world. His ongoing involvement with 23XI Racing, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, allows him to contribute as a consultant lending his experience and insight to the team’s development.
Despite the challenges, Busch maintains a degree of optimism about his health and potential in the motorsports arena. He added:
“Right now for 2025, I’m still endorsed with Monster Energy. I’m hopeful to get a light duty type of clearance to race with 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.”
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