It was always a matter of when, not if, Kurt Busch would be selected into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Despite that, the 46-year-old getting voted in on the first ballot came as an immense relief for the veteran racer. More than two decades ago, he held off Jimmie Johnson to win the 2004 Cup Series championship and over his career has secured 34 triumphs at the highest level, including at least one win in 19 of his 21 full-time seasons before retiring in 2023.

But the journey has been far from easy. Unlike today, where kids have a ladder or a system to make it to the very top, Kurt Busch felt he was just “in the right place at the right time” to make his mark in the stock car racing world. And now, years later, the Nevada native is getting his due recognition for his many contributions.

Kurt Busch is eager to share his side of the story

“I’m very grateful and thankful that it happened this first time,” said a relieved Kurt Busch, a first-ballot nominee who was voted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The veteran racer was the only NASCAR Cup Series champion among the Modern Era Ballot nominees this year, and nobody can say that the recognition wasn’t well deserved. He became the first driver to win the title under NASCAR’s ‘playoff’ system and showed great consistency throughout his career, finishing in the top-10 of the standings 10 times back in the day.

Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Kurt Busch reflected on his illustrious career and said, “It was a ride, you know. It wasn’t always peaches and cream and sunshine and rainbows. I hope to paint the picture over these next 9 or 10 months, and then, of course, at the Hall of Fame events when all of us go in for the Class of 2026. It’s to paint the picture of my side of things and what led to things or why that happened.” He went on to say, “North Carolina is my home. I grew up in Vegas, but I’m definitely a Southern boy because NASCAR is in my blood. ”

Kurt Busch is also itching to explain his side of the story to address many unanswered questions in his career. The veteran continued, “Talking about a race win or why I left Roush (Racing), and went to Penske and had those moments there, and why we almost should have won a race with James Finch at Sonoma.” Kurt Busch was notably the last driver to win a Cup Series Championship for Roush Racing before moving to replace Rusty Wallace at Team Penske. The reason for his move or Jack Roush’s displeasure is unknown, and certainly would be an eye-opener to hear from Busch himself.

His race at Sonoma is another story of legend status. Driving for Phoenix Racing, a team with little to no financial backing, Kurt Busch rallied to a remarkable third-place finish with a broken track bar mount! While he has reflected on the win in 2017, saying, “The track bar mount kept getting worse and worse and worse. I was trying to pass (eventual race winner Clint) Bowyer, but I felt something coming apart in the back end.” A deeper dive into moments like these would only paint a more colorful picture of a career with faced its fair share of ups and downs. For now, all we can do is wait and appreciate the stacked resume that Kurt Busch has accumulated.

During the voting process, it quickly became clear that Busch was a slam-dunk pick in comparison to others. The 46-year-old had 13 more Cup wins than Burton and 16 more than Gant, and he also had a championship along with a Daytona 500 and a Coca-Cola 600 to his name. The others didn’t. Yes, he was somewhat of a ‘volatile’ personality back in the day who burned some bridges and had several clashes on the track. But just like ‘Rowdy’, he also mellowed down with age while remaining a force to be reckoned with.

Eventually, the Hall of Fame recognition is given on merit, not conduct, and Kurt Busch simply checked the boxes. From being the 2010 Coca-Cola 600 winner to winning the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in the same year, the Nevada native has been dominating headlines right from his rookie season in the Truck Series. While the journey has been far from smooth sailing, Busch has more than paid his dues after running 776 Cup races across a 24-year timespan, securing 28 poles and 339 top-tens in the process.

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‘Rowdy’ shares a heartfelt message after his elder brother’s induction

It’s no secret that Kurt Busch has faced plenty of ups and downs in his illustrious career. From lifting the championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway with Roush Racing to being forced to retire after sustaining injuries from a massive wreck at Pocono in 2022, the 46-year-old has experienced what can only be described as a ‘wild ride’ in the stock car racing world. His younger brother, Kyle Busch, has been around for most of it and was thrilled to hear about Kurt’s inclusion into the prestigious club.

Writing a sentimental message on X, Kyle Busch said, “What an incredible achievement to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame! Your dedication, hard work, and passion for the sport have truly paid off, and being a Cup Series Champion and Daytona 500 Champion is no small feat. I couldn’t be prouder of you! You’ve not only made a name for yourself on the racetrack but also inspired so many with your journey. This honor is a testament to your talent and perseverance. Cheers to you and this amazing milestone!”

It was a big moment for the Busch family, who have established themselves as a household name in the NASCAR world. With Brexton Busch now making a name for himself on dirt tracks, it’s clear that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in the family, and despite being 46 years old, Kurt Busch admitted that his nephew “is going to be the one to get me back behind the wheel.” Earlier this year, the Nevada native was given medical approval to compete in the Race of Champions, which will be his first-ever racing event since 2022. While a full-time return to stock car racing might be off the table, fans are excited to see a few one-off appearances from the driver soon.