Kurt Busch’s Advice and Stories Shaped Ross Chastain’s NASCAR Career

Ross Chastain opened up on Kurt Busch's role in shaping his NASCAR career as the latter gets inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Kurt Busch’s Advice and Stories Shaped Ross Chastain’s NASCAR Career

Ross Chastain (via mynorthwest.com) and Kurt Busch (via USA Today)

Kurt Busch is one of the best drivers in NASCAR’s recent history. The 2004 Cup Series champion made his mark during his time in the sport. Busch is now being honored by NASCAR as he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. Now, the 46-year-old’s former teammate Ross Chastain has showered praise for making him a top driver in the field.

Ross Chastain got the chance to work alongside Kurt Busch when he moved to Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021. The 32-year-old was still not a household name in the Cup Series and was yet to make his way to Victory Lane. During this period, Kurt Busch played a crucial role in shaping Chastain’s career as an experienced mentor.

The Coke 600 winner recalled spending time with Busch off-track at the team. Chastain would often train together with the NASCAR veteran during their time as teammates as he learnt from the 46-year-old. Kurt Busch would use this time to share his learnings with his younger teammate. Ross Chastain recalled hearing about the mistakes made by the former Cup Series champion, dating back to his early days in the sport.

He was really motivating for me when I came into the No. 42 car. I had trained with him and been around him for a couple of years. There were a lot of things I could ask him about and he’s like — well, I made that mistake, you know, 18 years ago or something.

Ross Chastain said at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Over the years, as Ross Chastain made his way in NASCAR, he understood why Busch would tell him stories from his hay day. Such tales have indeed helped out the Trackhouse Racing star. Chastain further mentioned that Kurt Busch had only been good to him during their time together.

He’d had some story from way back in the day. It makes more sense now as I kind of step through my career. He was nothing but good to me.

Ross Chastain added.

Kurt Busch recalls humble beginnings amid Hall of Fame induction

Kurt Busch certainly deserves to be in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The 46-year-old achieved incredible success over the years, but was forced out of the sport following his horrific crash at Pocano in 2022. Busch’s brother Kyle Busch was overwhelmed to hear the induction news, and the same can be said for the 2004 Cup Series champion.

Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch (via USA Today)

The 46-year-old insisted that everyone who had been nominated for the induction deserved to be in the sport’s Hall of Fame. Kurt Busch recalled his roots in Las Vegas, where he and his father simply started out racing as a hobby. A young Busch did not know what was in store for the rest of his life when he first won a race.

Everyone that’s on the ballot is someone that can go into the Hall because of the impact that they made on the sport. And for me, just a blue-collar kid out of Vegas, I never would have imagined this.

Kurt Busch said, as quoted by NBC.

Being part of the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a dream for every driver in the sport. At the end of the day, when a driver finally joins this elite club, they engrave their name in history. Kurt Busch and his family could not be happier with this achievement. Though, fans would be hoping that Busch is able to perhaps get one more go at stock car racing in the coming time.

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