When A NASCAR Champion Became The Underdog

Kurt Busch is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR History! But he went from a championship contender to an underdog for one season? Will go over why that came to be and what a roller coaster it was!
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#NASCAR #Underdog #KurtBusch
Race Footage Credits:
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[@ST0NE_206]

it’s crazy just how different of a person Kurt Busch was in 2012 compared to now

[@pedroa.baptista4906]

I like to compare Kurt Busch pre-2012 with Antonio Brown, know if he didn't changed after all the mess he did he'd ended up the same as AB is in

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

He got help, made amends, drove above and beyond (something he was always good at), and climbed back to the top. The work Kurt has done and continues to do in therapy is a testament that anyone can change.

[@bobbyblair8478]

That Kurt Busch documentary you clipped in this is actually really good if y’all haven’t watched the whole thing. I think it’s called Kurt Busch:the outlaw. Great video Darian!!! Kurt was so likable from like 2015 to 2022 but no doubt he had a rough stretch for a good decade. Definitely matured a lot over the years. Future HOF no doubt.

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

He became likable once he took ownership for being a verbally abusive and toxic person, and made the necessary changes. When you get help and show proof of it, people will gravitate back towards you.

[@2tuff.saints]

He’s Darlington 2012 meltdown will always been iconic.

[@austinemms9772]

It’s a 1st Ballot Hall-Of-Famer when it comes to sound bites from Radioactive.

[@jasonstraight1320]

😮

[@KombatRacer]

If he wasn’t an ultra talented driver and former champion, I’d argue that the Penske fallout in 2011 would have ended his career. Crazy that he was able to bounce back from this.

[@nascarsteve]

he was just too good of a driver to be completely out of NASCAR altogether

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

Yep. Nobody can be that abusive and toxic and keep their job. He had no choice but to accept his actions and decisions led him to being fired from two top teams at the time.

[@gnnascarfan2410]

9:59 I love how Jimmy Spencer’s shocked face is still a meme on NASCAR social media.

[@nascarsteve]

Kurt was an absolute headcase that year. He had a lot of personal issues. He also said, James Finch's motto was "checkers or wreckers" and he completely lived up to that motto. He flat wheeled that car in Sonoma, and he basically put Furniture Row on the map the next season, paving the way for Truex. Ended up being a pretty respectable driver and person towards the end of his career.

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

It really is surprising that he couldn’t win in the 78. He came so close a few times. You’re absolutely right about setting them up for success at FR.

[@Madvizion]

I miss the old Kurt It was never boring. But I do praise how far he has come and how much he's grown.

[@doomusrlc]

12:55 also listen to Tony Stewart's interview after this race too. He was watching Kurt manhandle that car around Sonoma with the broken suspension parts and couldn't believe he kept it together

[@cito1101]

9:36 the moment an Iconic meltdown was made

[@ethan9fan]

I was sitting on the back stretch at the Talladega race when that happened it was my first ever race with my mom

[@noahcoleman5556]

IS IT ONE TO GO YET?!?!?!???!?

[@LOOKBEHINDYOUN0W]

They want you to drop farther to the back…

[@Dardev123]

IM F****** THERE! IM F****** THERE!

[@cito1101]

ALL THESE MOTHER (EXPLETIVE) BEHIND ME ARE LAPS (EXPLETIVE) DOWN!!!! (EXPLETIVE)

[@andrewandersen779]

Calm down let's get some points here

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

F*** F***

[@andrewthepokerchamp]

I really do feel sorry after what happened in 22. I still think we would have seen him race for a few more years if it never happened :/

[@xavierjuno4572]

Honestly it was just a bad situation that nobody saw coming because as they say hindsight is 20/20

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

Thanks, Ben Kennedy. Sell the sport.

[@rosscrashtain]

Ironic that Phoenix racing helped him rise from the ashes

[@BrianIsTheGOAT594]

Kurt Busch racing for Phoenix Racing feels like when Kasey Kahne raced for Leavine Family Racing, and when Greg Biffle raced for NY Racing. It's a weird feeling to think about. Also to add on, Ryan Newman racing for Rick Ware Racing, and Bobby Labonte racing for JTG Daugherty Racing.

[@erichk101]

And Clint Bowyer driving for HScott Motorsports in 2017.

[@ChazTheFloofer]

​@@erichk101 That was 2016 when MWR gave the entire 15 team over to HScott, Bowyer joined SHR following the 2016 season after Stewarts retirement and became the driver of the 14 up to his retirement from 2017 - 2020 (Nerds emoji I know 🤓)

[@erichk101]

@@ChazTheFloofer Thanks for the correction, the typo strikes me yet again lol.

[@Denverbroncos87]

Kevin harvick driving bj McLeod equipment in the nationwide series. And getting them great finishes.

[@ic3man]

@@Denverbroncos87I think SHR setup those cars but they were listed as BJ McLeod Motorsports

[@ernestscott9244]

Jimmy Spencer was having a ball with those Kurt Busch meltdowns on Race Hub back then.

[@AxelSqueeze]

2012 was my first year watching nascar and I became a lifetime kurt busch fan because I supported him through the tough times

[@alexwinfield9540]

So what were the tough times? Him acting like a child to his team on the radio? Threatening to fight a reporter for asking a question? The man acted like a complete dick and the fact people like you think that's worthy of support shows how pathetic people are

[@DarthPlagueisTheWise620]

I always preferred Kyle but I loved watching Kurt race

[@jaggerglover2178]

my fav driver of all time 💔

[@ATK10155]

I have similar anger issues but I honestly can’t blame him. Surrounded by incompetence in a sport where everybody has incredible crews and he is stuck with 6 idiots and a jackass. Kudos to him for making it 10 years. Let alone 20.

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

He had to change though. You cannot be that toxic and abusive, and keep your job.

[@DC322]

I never forget that day when Kurt completely lost it at Homestead was his low and rebuilding his racing from the ground up with Phoenix Racing and went on a renaissance later in his career including the Daytona 500 win. Who would had thought it was over after leaving Penske on bad terms. Future HOFer indeed.

[@sharkk127]

Kurt was my favorite fmdriver when i really started getting into nascar in 2014, after i learned of the issues hes had that just made me like him more since he had a complete turnaround

[@jefferyrobertson7520]

Thanks For Uploading

[@Awakelettuce77]

This is a really good Kurt Busch video keep up the contents man

[@bobbymoore7874]

I couldn't stand kurt busch for the longest time. But those years with Finch and Furniture Row made me gain respect for him.

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

He grew on me as he grew. So I transferred to hating his brother for a few years. But I don’t have anything against Kyle now.

[@bobbymoore7874]

@@extragoogleaccount6061 Same

[@andrewv3892]

This hits home, being a die hard Kurt fan.

[@thomasrice9903]

I know you’ve been mad, but have you ever been “Kurt Busch at Penske” mad

[@glonniecanoy3441]

Terry Labonte, anyone? He was also a champion but went to a underdog team years after his '84 championship.

[@isaiahmarker407]

Terry is a 2 time champion. 1984 and then 1996 with Hendrick

[@bighand1530]

@@isaiahmarker407 I wouldn’t be against Brad Keselowski pulling off what Terry Labonte did.

[@seandamenacee4767]

Kurt was a fucking menace in this era right along with his brother😭

[@MegaMr46]

But both did grown later years

[@ChaseTPS]

I watched Kurt Darlington Rage on TV infront of my parents when I was 6, my parents were not happy with Kurt and hated him for like 3 years. But I liked Kurt Busch, his rage is funny 😂

[@275Marco46]

You gotta love Jimmy Spencer teasing him since they had a rivalry

[@johngavlick6479]

3:20 Uh Oh

[@davidakey9743]

"Car just drives like s***."

[@jaxonjaxoff3291]

I want you to compare his stats with Phoenix Racing to his stats with Furniture Row Racing. At the time both teams had similar reputations, but the results are so damn different it’s nutso.

[@BlackFlagsMatter]

So in 29 races for Phoenix Racing he scored 1 Top 5 and 2 Top 10's. In 6 races with Furniture Row He scored 3 Top 10's. Safe to say he made the right decision to move but what if he didn't leave after 2013? Perhaps it's him winning the 2017 championship.

[@jaxonjaxoff3291]

@@BlackFlagsMatter 👀

[@handsomedevil4928]

@@BlackFlagsMatter without a doubt. Busch made the chase in the 78 in 2013, and then the next year Martin Truex Jr, for lack of better terms, sucked balls. So if Truex could win the championship in the 78, I’m sure Busch could’ve.

[@xavierjuno4572]

​@@handsomedevil4928honestly I think the only reason Truex sucked was because he didn't jell well with the team quite yet, plus given his controversial 2013 season, then yeah it's no wonder he collapsed in 2014

[@handsomedevil4928]

@@xavierjuno4572 well I’m not trying to say Furniture Row was good or that Truex underperformed. I’m just pointing out that Busch comparatively out performed. Furniture Row became good when they got Cole Pearn.

[@SiVlog1989]

For me, my favourite Kurt Busch win was the 2017 Daytona 500. It truly marked his redemption from the low points in his career where he was going from one underfunded team to another and it especially made up for the year where he could have won before, 10 years earlier in 2007

[@JackCallSports]

I hope he does one more race to retire on his terms

[@nascarsteve]

maybe Penske can give him a 4th car for one race? No doubt he can still wheel it.

[@billcary30]

i heard at the time that busch was going to do like stewart and buy into the team, but there was some issue. finch's cars had the ability to run up front, but he was using really old equpment. he was in it for fun (and probably to some extent a write off). he even said that in interviews.i actually went by the shop they had in spartanburg back maybe around this time. having been to other shops it wasn' as big as hendrick, or roush, but it was quite big. it was at least as big as what front row uses. building wise. and finch wasn't trying to run 3 full time teams and two part time teams out of it. just one cup full time team and a busch car a few races a year. heard later he bought that when him and purvis decided in 96 to run full time to see what might happen. up to that point he was running 8-10 busch races a year and 4-6 cup. he dreamed big. i think that team would have done much better with a full time sponsor that could pay the bills. remember even when he ran that indian gambling sponsor he put it on the car but they weren't always fully funded races. probably should have won 3-5 more races in cup than he did and probably if jimmy had decided to run full time busch one year there when he ran part time for him probably one drivers championship or an owners one if they'd run the car full time. back to kurt. i'm not sure what the hang up with finch was on the buying into the team unless he didn't want a partner at that point (though just a year or 2 later he'd sell it to the guy james buescher won his truck championship with). i think if kurt had stayed assuming he could pull some sponsorship together, he'd of turned that into what stewart haas became. guess we'll never know.

[@ic3man]

12:12 ngl Marty seems like the type of person who’d lowkey kick anyone’s arse

[@AtlanticCoastJoey]

This was a bad time in Kurt’s career no doubt.

[@RealLuxxRyder]

Uncle Kurt 🥺🥺

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

Well I do agree that Bob Pockrass and Marty Smith are annoying an ask the most ridiculous questions but damn Kurt went to far there. 3:28 Angry Roger Penske is kind of funny. 😅 17:21 this is the only reason that I think Kurt has way more passion than Kyle Busch ever has in his entire career. Kyle Busch is the type of guy to wipe his tears with Dollar Bills.

[@Denverbroncos87]

Marty smith once asked a driver at talladega who got passed on the last lap and finished 2nd - This question: So did you lose the lead on the last lap or did he pass you… Reality: Marty…. He was 1st, got passed… finished 2nd….

[@arthuralford]

That's the maddest I've ever heard Penske. He normally doesn't air the team's dirty laundry in public; prefers to keep that "Penske Perfect" image. And if Kurt wasn't on live radio, heard by anyone with a scanner, it wouldn't have had the same effect. But Penske felt he had to shut things down-right now-and told Kurt to shut up. Kurt didn't live up to the squeeky-clean image of Penske Racing, and was let go end of the season

[@bighand1530]

@@arthuralford Not sure I would consider Joey Logano having a squeaky clean image.

[@Wickedred413]

I don't know if Kurt Busch raging at Darlington is supposed to be hilarious or not. Either way I am laughing my ass off

[@SpeedyCashRegister]

Makes you wonder if Jimmy Spencer would have hit him harder if it would have adjusted his attitude. Sterling thought so. "Just a bonehead move. I don't guess Spencer got him hard enough." - Sterling Marlin

[@aldouscoroza]

Crazy to think How Much Kurt Changed after he Joined Furniture Row in 2013, he became a Lovable Underdog for the Rest of his Career

[@franceinegelven677]

He is my favorite driver. Always reminds me of Dale Earnhardt in Dales early days. Go Kiel

[@franceinegelven677]

Go Kurt

[@NexXxu]

I think the most important win has not on the track, but outside, Kurt seeing that raging guy is killing his career, and decide “ok i need to change my mindset” is such a powerful inspiration.

[@Racer881Ken]

9:59 Jimmy Spencer bro 😂😂😂😂

[@ic3man]

9:25 Kurt wasn’t leading when he spun he was near the front tho

[@NASCARFAN93100]

The Darkest Point of Kurt Busch's Career

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

Yep. He was cancerous and volatile.

[@TaylorBMcardle]

I still fondly remember after Kurt left Phoenix Racing, at the fall Charlotte race that year they had a 🙂 on the hood of the 51. That gave me a good laugh

[@anncase8673]

The time with Phoenix Racing, the first time Busch was with a team that couldn't win races, it made him see things differently and made him appreciate the opportunities he was given afterwards. It was also a good motivator to keep his attitude in check

[@Maverick33]

And then the entire NASCAR fandom rallied behind Kurt when he was falsely accused of stuff by an ex and railroaded by NASCAR

[@pacthesir]

It still pisses me off that the gen 7 car ended his career, it just shows how close we are to losing all of the older drivers, Kurt, Kyle, Jimmie, Dale, and sooooo so much more... they were fun to watch. Today, my favorite driver, Kyle Busch, is still driving, but... his career is at a downfall... it's a pain watching my favorite drivers leave, fail, and / or get hurt...

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

I blame Ben Kennedy for the Gen 7 and all his stupid Fast & Furious-inspired ideas. Sell the sport.

[@pacthesir]

@@baxatakbaxatak2014 I agree, what a shame...

[@Cramhead43]

that man’s my hero

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

Big Kurt Busch fan here. Was Roush fan for along time.

[@franceinegelven677]

May ur angels fly as fast as u drive Kurt. Best

[@DrSamwpepper]

Imagine if FlightReacts was around in 2012 and reacted to Kurts Radio😭💀

[@TheTMoney35]

Roush Racing had no choice but to park Kurt for those final two races. Crown Royal was one of the biggest financial backers for the 97 car. Had the team kept Kurt in the car, it would have been a public relations nightmare for NASCAR -- a statement suggesting DUI was tolerable within their confines. As a business, from both Roush Racing's and NASCAR's respective standpoints, they have to showcase responsibility (no pun intended). A statement handled as such, professional, and mature unlike the reinstatements of both Kyle Larson and Noah Gragson.

[@sloveniesta]

The character development from berating his entire crew at Penske to hugging and shaking hands with all of them at Phoenix was wild....

[@7demoderby]

8:18 I miss Jimmy Spencer handing out crying towels and cigars

[@DukeTheRebel]

It makes me wonder what else Kurt was going through back then because seeing how much of a different person he is now I have to imagine he was going through some struggles off the track as well

[@ZachAttack121]

What’s that documentary type thing you showed clips from I wanna watch it ?

[@NASCARFAN4EVER]

Who else Misses Kurt Busch?

[@FierceAnt861]

Me

[@CuriousRat3]

Me

[@BrianIsTheGOAT594]

Me.

[@NASCARFAN93100]

Me

[@noahcoleman5556]

Me. Besides Jeff Gordon (my driver), Kurt was the saddest retirement to me by far. He did not deserve to go out like that.

[@alanluscombe8a553]

Wether u should or shouldn’t I love Kurt and Kyle

[@56JKL]

Ah yes my favorite Kurt quote: FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!

[@shadowhart1665]

I'm still trying to figure our why Marty Smith is the wrong guy to mess with lol

[@6Six6Six6Bruh]

Where do I start with my pookie wookie bear? Kurt Busch is my love, my life, the light to my world and the stars in my sky. He is my sunshine, my only sunshine.

[@joaquinfrancissilao975]

The post-race interaction between Kurt Busch and Bob Pockrass from Nationwide race at Dover was the first first time I've ever known about Bob Pockrass. Pretty sure, may be the same as some of you, just wondering.

[@owenlawrence380]

Man I hated Kurt growing up. And then I found myself in tears when he announced his retirement. Really miss him on track

[@hagerdhotrodz]

6:12 Fate- "Hold my beer. "

[@thatguyrightbehindyo]

Why aren’t you on the nascar weekly podcast? I was watched the last 2 and you weren’t on either?

[@horsepowercowboy3698]

Mental health is important guys.

[@horsepowercowboy3698]

Whoever highlighted this thank you. I always felt like Kurt and Kyle had a very different upbringing and I think that when both weren’t the top dogs in the sport…it really hurt them. But then Kurt found himself at Furniture Row and post racing has graduated to being this Motorsports guru at 23XI. Kyle found Samantha. And a family. And hopefully a home better than RCR. He deserves the 48. And Bowman deserves the 8.

[@Nickrocks524]

How come he hasn't been on the podcast lately

[@jinglebell61]

Future upload: The Worst Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400.

[@hunternixonfishing2500]

Not really true that there would be no Kyle Busch without Kurt. He would have carved his own path without Kurt. Come on bro 😭

[@Aidan_-_]

Yeah it's cool and all but I already saw this video elsewhere

[@TheOzarkWizard]

Someone spent too much time soaking in leaded fuel. (used till 07)

[@AlphaStudios-lh1rz]

The only driver to win races for both Dodge and Toyota.

[@joelrichardson8674]

Now do the same thing for Kyle

[@handsomedevil4928]

Marty Robbins

[@user-ij2cg8ft1f]

Marty Robbins

[@Mike-xh8fl]

His reactions to literally any sort of difficulty and utter disrespect for the pitcrew, owners, media, fans, EVERYONE just show what a spoiled little entitled princess he was. So glad to be rid of him from competitive driving.

[@bradnerling7156]

I wouldn’t swear at any of my teammates. Put me in. I will drive anywhere in anything. Kurt is like Kyle. A total tool. Glad he’s gone If I start 40 th and finish 35 th or even 39 th I would love it. Live the dream and love it. No matter what.

[@michaelmolina6780]

Language Gs Kurt Busch,Sorry.Jaimy Little and Michelle Obama

[@patrickkennedy2533]

more f bombs that Scarface on a loop

[@RedneckOgre9000]

I’m not really a NASCAR or racing guy in general. I watch the big races sometimes. Most of my knowledge comes from watching videos like these. Kurt Busch seems like a butthole. But NASCAR’s media and the guys that are TV “analysts” seem like they think they’re more important than the drivers.

[@bradnerling7156]

Hell I would just like to not only start but finish just saying. Without cussing.

[@newmeadam]

Never knew it was that Sheriff im not a fan of BuSch but that was a snowjob that screwed him for years...

[@zt5547]

Not any different then when Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty kept racing when they were old

[@glenndavis7315]

I liked Kurt more when he was fighting with Jimmy Spencer!! Jimmy Spencer was a joke!!

[@darthhull85]

I still don’t like him regardless of how much he changed.

[@SoldiesBC]

Tis a shame he was forced into retirement.

[@bobwilson758]

Something just ain’t right with this guy ! 😮😊😅😢

[@joesixpack-vz1yq]

A lot of that drama was also because of his stupid girlfriend that he had while with penske.

[@Chris-wm6wv]

WhatiFRacing knew about his story! He's a big fan!

[@mustangmike4078]

Goes out on top too. Won that race shortly before crashing and being concussed and retiring.

[@rushylvania.northern]

" kurt busch raadiooooo sweetheart " that's all you need to know