Life post-retirement in NASCAR can be blissful. Drivers spend their time worrying for 36 weekends a year, constantly shuffling pit strategies, and contemplating jittery futures. But after hanging up their firesuits, they can pursue their racing passion in their own way. Martin Truex Jr. officially left Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024 and plans to follow a relaxed schedule. Kurt Busch is already doing the same.

The 34-time Cup Series race winner retired from NASCAR due to an accident. A wicked crash at Pocono Raceway on July 22, 2022, gave him a concussion and stuttered his career, following which Kurt Busch had to undergo treatment. However, he is slowly reappearing on the motorsports scene – albeit while taking it slow.

Kurt Busch prepares for dirt event with his buddies

The Baja 1000 is a famed Mexican off-road motorsport event. Having been conducted by Baja California every year since 1967, the event is known for its aggression and dangerous driving. Ranging from crazed motocross drivers to NASCAR stars or simply people interested in a bout of hot-headed driving – many sign up for this event. Riley Herbst’s family has a history in off-road trucking. His grandfather Jerry Herbst made his first Baja 1000 start in 1970. Then Riley and his father Troy Herbst took the baton – they won the 2023 SCORE Baja 1000, which spanned from La Paz to Ensenada, totaling 1,310 miles.

Despite the difficulty associated with this off-road racing event, Kurt Busch is taking it easy. He plans to compete in the 2025 Baja 1000, and preparations are underway. Back in February 2021, he had slipped his wish to enroll in this daredevil event while hinting at retirement. The 2004 Cup champion had already finished 6th in the Indianapolis 500 and raced twice in the Rolex 24 endurance race. Finally, Busch’s Mexican ambition will come to fruition – not without a bit of fun. He was seen racing Trophy trucks with his friends, Riley Herbst, Brendan Gaughan, and Aaron Ampudia along the beach in Baja, Mexico. Busch captioned: “Baja Bandits prepping for the Baja 1000 2025 #TEAMKURTBUSCH #baja1000 @brendan62 @ampudia @rileyherbst @terribleherbstmotorsports @rodamp36 @southpointlv who’s with me?!”

Kurt Busch’s laid-back approach counters the elaborate preparation that Riley Herbst makes for the same event. In 2023, he juggled both Xfinity Series commitments and his family tradition. Fresh off winning a Las Vegas race, Herbst won over a race-high 36 starters in the Trophy Truck Spec class while also finishing eighth overall. He drove the middle section while his father Troy started the race and drove the first section. In 2024 as well, he also brought the Trophy Truck spec championship to less than 11 minutes over the course of a 17-hour race. Herbst and his family racing team finished first in their class and sixth overall. Even Busch’s brother Kyle wanted to compete in this iconic race in 2021.

However, Kurt Busch has a solid reason to take it slow.

Settling down smoothly

Back in 2021, Kurt Busch was very excited to welcome the next-gen car, having tested it. However, 2022 had in store a dire future for him, as Busch encountered a crippling crash. He suffered major head injuries due to the Pocono Raceway mishap, and he announced his retirement in August of 2023. Although Busch has recovered now, he still admits to feeling some ill effects from the wreck. A vast dosage of physical therapy and countless neurologist visits helped stabilize his health. So while he was recovering Busch engaged in other racing roles – he mentored 23XI Racing drivers Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace.

Hence, before deciding to embark on any nerve-racking racing venture, Kurt Busch admitted he required his doctor’s approval. He said recently, “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. 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” Busch added, “We just have to keep it realistic and to keep it one step at a time.”

Evidently, Kurt Busch is purposefully taking it slow for the Baja 1000. Yet we cannot wait to see how he will perform when he is fully back in his old form.