WATCH: Kurt Busch breaks down into tears as he bids an emotional farewell to the sport at NASCAR Awards

Kurt Busch announced his retirement from the sport after his Pocono crash.

WATCH: Kurt Busch breaks down into tears as he bids an emotional farewell to the sport at NASCAR Awards

Kurt Busch in tears at the NASCAR champion's banquet (Credits: X)

The NASCAR Awards Banquet shared a poignant moment as Kurt Busch, the 2004 Cup Series champion, was visibly moved to tears as he reflected on his illustrious 23-year racing career. The emotion-laden ceremony, held at the Music City Center in Nashville, served as a bittersweet farewell to a driver whose journey in NASCAR came to an abrupt end due to a devastating crash at Pocono in 2022.

Busch, a NASCAR legend, competed in 776 Cup Series races, securing 28 poles and 34 wins across five teams. Notable victories include the 2017 Daytona 500, 2010 Coke 600, and All-Star Race. A 2004 Cup champion, Busch originally planned to retire in 2023 but an early exit resulted from a concussion at Pocono Raceway. Despite hoping for recovery, ongoing health challenges led to his retirement.

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NASCAR honored the racing legend at the Champion Banquet in the Music City. As Kurt Busch took the stage, he was choking on his words with a heavy heart and expressed gratitude for the unwavering support he received throughout his career. His appreciation extended to NASCAR, team owners, sponsors, and manufacturers, notably acknowledging Monster Energy for their crucial support in the latter part of his career.

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To be a champion in this sport it takes that drive it takes that lesson learned early on and I wanna thank my mom, my dad, and my little brother Kyle (Busch). We always pushed each other to be at that next level. It’s amazing when you have such a family around you all the time. 

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Kurt Busch shares his noble post-retirement plans

As Kurt spoke about his plans for the future, the room witnessed a powerful transition from a farewell to a promising legacy. Despite no longer racing, the 2004 Cup Series champion expressed a strong commitment to giving back to the sport.

Kurt Busch announces retirement
Kurt Busch announces retirement (Credits: Autoweek)
 I believe the next chapter for me is to help some of our young guys, young girls. Anybody that wants to be an engineer, a crew chief, or a racer. That’s what I can give back. You learn to absorb and to be better and so that’s what I want to give back to our next generation of racers and everybody that is involved in NASCAR.

The emotional impact of Kurt Busch’s retirement was palpable not only in his words but also in the reactions of those close to him. Kyle Busch, his younger brother, couldn’t hold back tears as he listened to the elder Busch’s words. Adding to the sentiment was the heartfelt tribute from Donald Cerrone, who took the opportunity to console his friend and express gratitude on behalf of the fans. 

Cerrone, an avid NASCAR enthusiast, reflected on the shared journey of “blue-collared buddies” who rose from humble beginnings to achieve greatness in the racing world. “Kurt Busch and I have similar words and stories, you know, so I feel very special in my heart to honor him tonight,” Cerrone remarked. In the quietude of the NASCAR Awards Banquet, Kurt Busch’s tearful farewell echoed through the hearts of fans, teammates, and friends alike. His emotional journey, punctuated by heartfelt expressions of gratitude and a commitment to mentorship was a touching end to an amazing career.

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