‘It’s a loss for our team,’ Denny Hamlin opens up about Kurt Busch stepping away from full time cup racing


‘It’s a loss for our team,’ Denny Hamlin opens up about Kurt Busch stepping away from full time cup racing

Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin

Kurt Busch has decided to step away from full time cup racing in 2023. The veteran has made the decision on the back of the concussion he suffered after the Pocono crash. Busch has been side-lined since and is yet have the medical clearance to get back behind the wheels of his 23X1 ride.

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Tyler Reddick who was contracted to join 23X1 Racing in 2024 has made an early switch and will join the Toyota team at end of this season. His RCR contract was purchased by 23X1. Busch will drive part time in 2023. He will work behind the scene with the Hamlin-Michael Jordon owned team as mentor for Bubba Wallace and Reddick.

Kurt Busch has been one of the most impressive drivers of the season until the crash. He secured the teams first win of the season at Kansas. He was qualified to compete in the playoff and had the medical waiver from NASCAR to compete if he had got the medical clearance before Round of 16 start.

Kurt Busch was approached by Hamlin and Jordon after his Chip Ganassi Contract came to an end to help the 23X1 team reach the next level. He has been a vital influence in the impressive season the 23X1 crew had this year so far. His decision will be a loss to the team and Denny Hamlin opened up about it in his recent interview,

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Also read: Joey Logano is stronger and comfortable in the playoffs

23X1 owner Denny Hamlin opens up about Kurt Busch’s decision

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin ( Images via IMAGO/USA Network)

Denny Hamlin said that Kurt Busch’s decision is a big loss for the team. He pointed out that he wanted to see Busch racing for 23X1 for the contracted two years and maybe a year more. He added that through Busch has only been with the team for just a half a season he made it better.

“I mean certainly it’s a loss for our team. I really wanted her to be part of this for at least two years and possibly a third year. For him to only get a half Seasons obviously not what we intended. But just in the short amount of time he was part of our organization he made it better,” Denny Hamlin said.

Denny Hamlin went on to say that Kurt produced for the team beyond expectations. He added that 23X1 will reap the benefits of having Kurt in the team even if the veteran is not driving the car for them on track.

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I mean he did what we expected and beyond really quickly and so I think we’re going to continue to reap the benefits of him being part of our team even if it’s outside being a race car driver,” Denny Hamlin added.  

Denny Hamlin pointed out that Busch will be there beside Tyler Reddick when he joins the teams. He added that it will good for the sport as well as for Wallace and Reddick to have some as experienced as Kurt in the team.

You know we’ll transition to Tyler next year and Kurt’s going to be right there beside him and being able to have someone of that knowledge and be that good on our sport be able to be beside Bubba and Tyler is going to be a huge asset for us,” Denny Hamlin explained.

What are your thought Kurt Busch’s 23X1 legacy?

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Also read: “Help Bubba be what Hamilton is for F1,” NASCAR Twitter reacts to Kurt Busch’s decision to race part time in 2023

Also read: Kurt Busch explains why he decided to call time to his full-time cup career