How Kurt Busch almost Killed his Career

Kurt Busch has had one of the most bizarre NASCAR careers we may ever see. Let's venture through all the obstacles he overcame.
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[@RawGator]

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[@DennyDeliversYT]

Kurt Busch has had the biggest character story arc from being a *fart smella to a smart fella…* lol

[@Thatonenascarfan06]

lol

[@UncannyEXP]

Now he's a smart smella

[@BIRDS4L]

🤣

[@Sandux930]

~*poop poetry*~

[@BeagleBageler]

Soon he’ll be a smart fart

[@scotttheoreo9217]

Kurt Busch is a great of example of the fact that people can indeed change. From hot head to one of the most calm drivers in the garage. Much respect for him.

[@whatsup7253]

Hot head or calm which one wins more races?

[@scotttheoreo9217]

@@whatsup7253 hard to say as he lost his best opportunities due to his outbursts i think if he had stuck with penske he could have been a 2/3 time champion

[@randomcub922]

Now his brother needs to do the same

[@acrock21]

its cause he ditched the skank

[@bighand1530]

@@scotttheoreo9217 I can more or less agree

[@RacekorStuff]

3:20 at the time, a win with the most laps led was worth 185. So a 100 point penalty was less than a 1 race penalty. Other than that, love the video. Big fan of Kurt’s redemption story.

[@mrcoconuts809]

And now Brad K. has a 100 point penalty, but under the current points that’s like death😂

[@acrock21]

@@mrcoconuts809 yeah thats like 3 dnfs in a row ... compared to a top 20 thats kurt got way back when

[@nickbrown2361]

Sam and A.J didn't share the 22, Sam got the ride halfway through the season, because A.J was suspended due to a failed drug test

[@jrpace87]

yep I was about to say that

[@wordlesslfiddling]

I love that kurt busch has become a genuine fan favorite lately it seems like he grew the beard and suddenly grew up

[@SuperNASCARrocks]

It’s honestly shocking that he came back from the horrendous season that was 2012.

[@Borchert97]

2012 was far from horrendous, in fact, I think he drove some of his best races that year. Wheeling a 30th place car to near-wins at Sonoma and both Talladega races were no small feats. He also won for some shitty Nationwide Series cars too, he won for KBM in the #54 and to this day has KBM's only XFINITY win, and he won at Daytona for Phoenix Racing.

[@LessGo7921]

@Rob F cuz he’s talking abt how good he was talent wise not how bad he was going off track 😐

[@turbokart3776]

As a Kurt fan, I love this vid, but I think you really undersold his performance at Furniture Row by just showing a clip of him flipping at Talladega and calling the season "winless." In reality, this season started his current reputation for making every team he gets on better. The man got 11 top 5s, one more than his championship season, for a team that had only ever gotten 2 top 5s in their history. 2013 was such a special year for Kurt and his fans, as it was the year that saved his career, so it really bugs me how little respect you gave that year.

[@jasonschomburg614]

Kurt set up MTJs championship.

[@doomusrlc]

Lol I didn't see your comment and posted basically the same thing hah

[@LessGo7921]

Glad someone here said it. Kurt’s 2013 year was huge historically speaking when took a single car team to the playoffs for the first time. Kurt walked so MTJ could run

[@NASCARFAN93100]

From The last 2 seasons at Team Penske to his stint at Phoenix Racing were without a doubt The Darkest times of Kurt Busch's career

[@TJL_Racing]

I love how Kurt went through character growth.

[@NottherealKyleLarson]

I’d love to see Kurt win another Championship like an underdog championship

[@pat02537]

Busch had already signed with Penske in August of 2005, months before the incident at Phoenix. Also, the point penalty at Dover in 2007 was not two full races as NASCAR had not yet switched to a point per position; they did that for the 2011 season.

[@alanluscombe8a553]

I’ve watched Kurt’s entire career and I think he has had the biggest personality swap out of any other driver. Granted he was the only one that really needed to do so but Kurt put in the effort and changed what he knew he was doing wrong and he seems to appreciate everything he has now

[@jasonschomburg614]

Kyle could probably learn a little from him.

[@richardlong6097]

It's not that he's a "better" person, his radio tirades are still terrible. Tony laying him out in the hauler did wonders, and adjusted his attitude towards ppl in the garage. After Tony beating him w the stick of humbleness, he has stopped threatening reporters and anyone who pisses him off. Age does have some part in it, but driving D list equipment makes one appreciate being on a good team.

[@RedlineVelocity24]

Still sad that his crash forced him to retire, but he’s a nascar analyst now and I’m happy for him

[@NotMattyDYT]

Kurt went from being heated to now one of the most best guys in the garage and arguably in the booth. It's nice to see how much he has changed himself ever since his rage moments from 2007-2013.

[@kathymarino4938]

Only if he stays away from those ass’ss who deliberately ram him into the wall so he can’t win a race . They are the ones threatened by him

[@404JekerskyNotFound]

That crash At Pocono killed his career THATS for sure

[@Estolcles]

Extra note: 2003: In addition to his 4 wins, he came in 2nd at Darlington, and was a large part (along with race winner Ricky Craven) of why Darlington is still on the schedule to this very day. Still the closest margin of victory in the main series almost 20 years later.

[@Ob1tuber]

There is also 2011 Talladega

[@Estolcles]

@@Ob1tuber eh, that sucked in comparison.

[@nascartoday8849]

Kurt has truly become a fan favorite now

[@andrewwinslow9315]

Somehow he managed to become a good guy, while Kyle is a Heel

[@IzzyTheEditor]

@@andrewwinslow9315 You spelled 2 time champion and most winningest current driver wrong. LOL

[@kailahmann1823]

for me it looks like working for another hot-head (Tony) helped him to get his anger managed.

[@doomusrlc]

@@IzzyTheEditor i am a Kyle fan but admit it, he's the heel lol

[@Foxdidnothingwrong]

​@@IzzyTheEditor he's still a heel dumbass

[@austinlewis3273]

Man this aged like milk lol

[@donnyovercast3559]

Good video. When Shell Penzoil moved from RCR to Penske, they demanded Kurt drive the car or they would not come to Penske. He didn't get kicked out if the 2.

[@doomusrlc]

6:25 honestly, I think you underplayed how Kurt's 2013 was a hell of a resurgence. He got the team their first chase appearance. If you look at total points earned without a chase reset, he would have tied Logano for 10th. Furniture Row was still teamed with RCR at the time and Kurt was involved in team meetings. Between Kurt and RCR's 3 drivers, Kurt and team were the 2nd best of the 4 (Harvick was clearly top). Kurt had speed all year. Had a great car for Darlington, was hands down the best at Loudon until I think he got caught in a wreck, should have won the All Star race but the pit crew was bleh, great car at Bristol night race until it broke, could have won Richmond.

[@isthatjonesboi]

Who else is watching this after Kurt Busch's Kansas win?

[@Tobytony65]

Or his Pocono crash

[@BuckeyeBoy32_7]

😂

[@theaestheticskyline328]

Kurt is one of my favorite drivers now (funny because I root against Kyle Busch the most). I went to the July Atlanta race last year and it was so fun seeing him battle his brother for the win. Can't wait to see how his stint with 23XI goes.

[@bwman1516]

That was a good race. Have you seen the video that came out on that race with talladega nights? If you haven’t, chip ganassi racing made a video on the slingshot engaged part. Absolutely hilarious and I recommend watching it

[@nickerskine2564]

I mean Ik Kurt needed to calm the hell down but the media somehow finds away to get under every drivers skin. Hell if I had a crap race because of a mechanical issue, it any issue causing a bad run, I don’t think I’d wanna say much either. Sometimes best to leave the drivers alone

[@robertbanks9610]

What? No mention of Jimmy Spencer rearranging Kurt's face?

[@doomusrlc]

4:12 it was WAY more than this. Kurt was attacking Penske and how the team was being ran for quite a while, back to his 2 car. And Rodger doesn't take too kindly to that

[@donnyovercast3559]

Exactly right. Kurt expected Penske to be ran like they were championship caliber and they were not giving them equipment up to par with what Johnson and Hendrick had. He was putting the whole organization on blast until it finally paid off but by then, they fired him. Brad abd Joey were the benefactors of all Kurt did at Penske to get that organization up to TRUE championship caliber.

[@LessGo7921]

@@donnyovercast3559 People forget Kurt carried them so hard in 2009

[@mikespencer237]

Between Kurt and Kyle, what kind of dysfunctional house hold were they brought up in? They can drive, but shouldn't be in public!

[@BearTrapUnhinged]

To be fair, Kurt agreed to terms with Penske before he was actually supposed to. Roush knowing he was leaving they probably were 100% over it. Then they suspended him

[@wade_says]

You mentioned 2015 as an average season which is not accurate. He had one of the best average finishes that year and won multiple races. I would call that average. He got screwed in the playoffs multiple times too.

[@ChaseTPS]

I'm going to COTA for this Sunday's race.

[@RawGator]

have fun

[@ChaseTPS]

@@RawGator Thx

[@b2b545]

Kurt completely changed and did a 180, I’m so proud of him

[@ShredHouseGaming]

The irony of that Crown Royal car is hilarious tho lol

[@jadenmernin3029]

Watching this a week after he got his first win in the 2311 team in 2022👍🏼

[@materthegreater8673]

I’m pretty sad about him not racing due to the injuries right now. Hopefully he will be back in the 45 soon

[@aloelover6012]

I heard recently that he's been feeling better lately, but his vision is still off. Hopefully he'll be 100% ready for next year.

[@materthegreater8673]

@@aloelover6012 Yeah, I don’t expect him back this season but he will have the whole off season to recover. Hoping we see him next year.

[@youremothersachicken4422]

He’s now retired

[@kathymarino4938]

No matter what I love Kurt Busch. He brings excitement over o the track and racing every week. Keep up the good work

[@kathymarino4938]

I agree Kurt Busch is my best NASCAR racer . I have been following him since he started, he only gets better. As for yesterday’s race his car let him down now the racer. Better luck next week he will show everyone how to win.

[@vg452]

Him and Kyle have 92 wins combined, just behind Bobby and Donnie Allison’s 94, although the split is more even than the Allisons. Kyle has one at least one race in each of his 17 full time seasons. Kurt has done it in each of the last 8 and 18 of 21 (2001-2021) overall, with one of the three winless seasons being his rookie season. Both are tied with the Labontes with three total championships, although Kurt has won more races than either Terry or Bobby, and Kyle has won more than both of them *combined*. Overall, they are statistically the best pair of siblings in NASCAR history.

[@VestigeV47]

Dale jr saved Kurt bushs career in a way

[@tristonwebb7045]

Kurt’s growth and maturity definitely or at least most likely stemmed from his relationship with current wife and Kyle having kids. It seemed like those coinciding just made him realize (Kurt voice) “hey, I have a pretty amazing job and should act like it”

[@justinlynch3948]

Kurt Busch quietly has the best average finish in Nascar this season

[@flyingpizza98]

3:38 they moved him to the 22 cuz the 2 was top 35 in owner points the year before and would automatically qualify for each race, but the 22 was a new car and wouldnt. Penske just happened to have a former champion in Kurt Busch who could qualify under the "champions provisional" if he wasnt in the top 8 that wasnt locked in. brilliant move by Penske making sure both cars could start every race

[@doomusrlc]

5:11 IIRC Rick Hendrick actually helped get Kurt into that car. And honestly if you look at how they ran, they did pretty decently. Was a contender in basically all 4 plate races, nearly won Sonoma.

[@NASCAR12fan]

6:45 are we not going to talk about this nostalgic scheme?

[@IvanFlavin]

To say he was released from roush without stating that he had already signed with Penske is a bit dishonest.... Rousch was losing him either way. Not sticking up for him was good pr for them. They had nothing to lose.

[@wolfgangvan-uber6515]

Kurt's been my favorite since I started watching NASCAR at the end of 2019! (I'm from Germany) He's such a cool guy and and absolute wheelman. That guy can drive!

[@kramnull8962]

Oh there was a joke in the early 2000's about NASCAR being the Busch Series. Cause he took the scene by storm.

[@everythingleftturns7782]

They didn’t do singular points back in the day my guy. 100 points is equivalent to about 25ish spots on track from 2010 and before. No where near two whole races

[@PackBrewBadgeWI4]

Kurt Busch also has driven for every single manufacturer that has been a part of the sport: Ford Dodge GM (with Chevrolet) Toyota (current manufacturer)

[@alawalter918]

So has Kasey Kahne and Robby Gordon.

[@xavierjuno4572]

I believe he's also one of the few drivers to race more than 2-3 numbers

[@alawalter918]

@@xavierjuno4572 Who?

[@evankirk97]

His maturity over the years has improved so much, he’s become a fan favorite to me

[@jabber1990]

I read somewhere that his time at Furniture Row ended up trickling-up and helping RCR I also believe that Kurt was asked to leave SHR for no reason other than "hey, go help Ganassi and Kyle Larson out"

[@doomusrlc]

Kurt was involved with the RCR team meetings. I believe both Kurt and Kevin talked about it

[@donnyovercast3559]

I believe Kurt was having more success at Furniture Row Than Harvick at RCR. They traded info and setups and Harvick started using Kurt's setups.

[@doomusrlc]

@@donnyovercast3559 hm, I wouldn't go that far. Harvick did have 4 wins on the year. Wouldn't surprise me that by Richmond 1, Harvick and Busch were on the same page.

[@donnyovercast3559]

@@doomusrlc he did have more success but he fid start using Kurt's setups

[@zottffss]

Kurt Busch's comeback season started in 2013 honestly. His attitude and performances improved drastically compared to 2012.

[@nickcassararacing]

His pocono crash that forced him into retirement feels like karma but at the same time it was undeserved because he knew what he did wrong and turned himself around

[@christopherpettit2304]

Has anyone ever gone from so hated to so likeable like Kurt has!? Hes so fun and hilarious now. I credit his wife. Amazing what a good woman can do for a guy.

[@PaperBanjo64]

The only similar reversal I can think of is Bubba Wallace going from fan favorite to most booed driver in the series.

[@3103Juan]

Kurt and Tony saga was awesome. Kurt was one of the few that actually stepped up to Tony Stewart.

[@kristenangier9673]

Kurt was already tabbed to drive the 2 car before the Phoenix incident. That domestic violence case almost ruined his career, too.

[@themumblebrapper]

I like Kurt Busch a lot, he's cool. his brother is cool too, but a little bit more pissy and annoying in my opinion. still like both of them, but Kurt way more

[@andygettelfinger438]

Slight Correction at 5:00, The driver of the #22 that year was AJ Allmendinger, but he failed a drug test right before the Coke 400, and Sam Hornish filled in the rest of the year. Hornish had already run a few races as the number 12 a third car for penske.

[@JJA1987]

For years I disliked Kurt because of his attitude but now the past few years I support him plus he’s the last remaining driver to race against Dale - He’s the cooler Busch anyway

[@doomusrlc]

4:55 well.... Allmendinger was in the car first. Ran decent but underwhelming until he got dinged for using Adderall and immediately suspended before the July Daytona race. Penske was more or less forced to let him go and Hornish took over the car.

[@thatdoggoo]

Arrested yesterday for reckless driving, unfortunate

[@wade_says]

Kurt is one of the best to ever do it. If he had better equipment post-2005, he’d have even more wins than he does now. What’s crazy is that he’s still at the top of his game at over 40

[@KFB4LIFE8]

Bro rawgator is the best nascar KZbinr, we all know that

[@steve5926]

He handles himself way better after adversity. Always liked Kurt. He’s not some boring clean cut poster boy and I appreciate that.

[@flyingpizza98]

and honestly i dont think Kurt shouldve been penalized for his comments towards Bob Pockrass. Bob asked a stupid question, trying to instigate something, and Kurt gave him an equally stupid response

[@TracksideViews]

I was at that Bristol race he won in the 2 car. In fact I have video from the grandstands of that race on my channel.

[@alexmee3524]

Really enjoyed this video! Hope you make more of these!

[@mattwilson5753]

Am I the only one that remembers Kurt Busch raising Furniture Row to the next level?

[@davenickel2448]

Nope your not , Truex just wheeled a car Kurt built.

[@ftghb]

Correction on 2 of your early points: Kurt Busch never was arrested for a DUI, he passed his breathalizer. 2. He already had signed for penske at the time roush decided to "fire" him

[@ck-rb9wn]

Nascar used to be so badass legit fueds and rage in the drivers who soley wanted to win off ego making it way more entertaining. We can thank you know who for the gutless Nascar we have today.

[@ashketchumsdad]

Been a Kurt Busch fan since the man gave him the finger. And Darlington was a race I'll never forget. But I never thought in a million years that Kurt Busch would become the modern day Mark Martin/Jeff Burton lol

[@Ob1tuber]

Except Kurt has a championship

[@tylerandfriendsgaming1546]

He lost being a hot head after he got to Ganassi and really did elevate the team and I think he was probably trackhouses first choice ahead of Chastian.

[@O5fan]

For 2011, the Penske drivers stayed where they were, they just shuffled the sponsors and car numbers.

[@jamesfriss4149]

Kurt Busch today has made a remarkable turn around

[@doomusrlc]

1:20 well, keep in mind he had announced he was going to Penske for 2006 rather early in 2005, believe it was some time during the summer. It was actually quite unprecedented to announce something like that so early in the season.

[@CJODell12]

Kurt Busch actually got Furniture Row Racing into the Chase for the first time in 2013. Even though he had no wins, he finished 10th in the final points that year. He had 11 top 5s (runner-ups at Richmond and Kansas), 16 top tens, a pole at Darlington, led 448 laps, and had an average finish of 14.7.

[@doomusrlc]

And should have won the all star race had the crew not been shit lol

[@davenickel2448]

Kurt made the 78 for truex to just jump in to car Kurt setup for him.

[@justsomenascarfan]

Watching this after the 2022 seasons is crazy 💀

[@ilovegoatsecks]

him and his brother both have anger issues. stems from their raising. yes both are fast and yes both win. but there is a common issue here.....

[@jeffy4368]

lets be honest, kurt Bush so far for 23/11 racing’s has been kicking Bubbas @$$ almost all season, i feel like Kurt will get another win or 2 before Bubba does

[@JJA1987]

Well he just won yesterday so you just proved a point

[@Tobytony65]

This aged well…

[@goopber]

he lowkey kinda feels like seb vettel with the attitude and perception change around him

[@Maqwell]

solid stuff my guy

[@RawGator]

thanks bro!!

[@Brendanbowls]

I met Kurt at Darlington in the spring of 2022 and he was a really nice guy.

[@RosaFan161]

Everyone wonders why Kyle Busch is so much better than his older brother, and this is why. 8 different rides in 22 years, multiple suspensions and a fair amount of bad luck, too. However, I feel like 2022 is the year he gets multiple wins again; being with Toyota for the first time should give him a good advantage.

[@donnyovercast3559]

Not to mention how many crew cheifs he pissed off who didn't want to work with him anymore. For me, he is one of the most talented drivers ever and all and all, he has had an amazing career. I just wonder how much more of an amazing career he screwed himself out if if he would have been with a good team with a good and consistent crew cheif. Most of the greats I think had the same CC for many years.

[@ephraimvorzman9786]

Kurt Busch has had such a crazy story that you left out the fact that he dated a professional assasin

[@BIGH68]

Great video bud.

[@Thatonenascarfan06]

bro i love your videos and my favorite video is the 1 in 1,000,000 video

[@RawGator]

appreciate it :)

[@scoobus5419]

Honestly, I think NASCAR should kick his ass out of the cup series.

[@NASCAR_Junk]

He’s driven for all three manufacturers in the last five years…

[@justinworkman9980]

Kyle Busch is going Down the same path as kurt

[@YohanSpeed]

Im still a kurt busch fan anytime even if i am not american

[@drpaultempleton]

kurt is a bad ass!!!love him!!!

[@jefferyrobertson7520]

Thanks For Uploading ☺😎

[@Nytrixyl]

This seems like a strange topic but it was pretty interesting since Brad Keselowski just got a massive penalty by NASCAR since his team modified a part on the Next Gen.

[@kirby132]

Kurt is my favorite driver. He is a great guy and fun to watch. Currently he isn’t doing terrible

[@briangriffinfamilyguyfan81]

Awesome video as always

[@Thatsmashguy27]

He once punched Jimmy Spencer

[@Tobytony65]

Jimmy punched Kurt

[@Riverside05]

I was thinking about this a few days ago, glad to see a vid about it

[@legooverload01]

I guess Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch I guess both have anger issues

[@bighand1530]

I would say Kurt Busch these is more mellow compared to Kyle Busch.

[@iceeblueburst03]

I remember those angry moments he had on NASCAR Radioactive back in the early 2010s.

[@kellym.puckett6209]

The whole Kurt Busch Vs. Bob “no question”Pockrass made me a Kurt Busch fan.

[@salvadorvillagomez3406]

I think Busch’s personality changed for the better was when he ditched that crazy ex wife of his and got with his current wife, Ashley. Judging by his IG he is more happy than ever.

[@jacobrodrigueztx]

At 4:22 I’m pretty sure Kurt said that because the cameraman with Jerry Punch was shoving the camera in Kurt’s face without even recording and it made Kurt mad.