“Happy to be a part of it”: Kurt Busch makes his feelings known about his latest update with 23XI Racing

Kurt Busch has expressed happiness over joining 23XI Racing for a holiday celebration. Busch said he had fun at the party before sending his congratulatory message to team co-owner Denny Hamlin.

The 46-year-old is a former NASCAR driver who last drove for 23XI Racing in the Cup Series. Following a crash in the qualifying session at Pocono Raceway in 2022, the Las Vegas native announced that he would be stepping away from the sport while recovering. A year later, he retired from full-time competition.

In an Instagram post, Kurt Busch shared his experience at the 23XI Racing holiday party.

"Happy Holidays! @23xiracing has a wonderful family fun atmosphere and I’m happy to be part of it," Busch said.

The 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion then congratulated 23XI co-owner and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin for the strong 2024 season.

"Congratulations on a powerful season @dennyhamlin as our team owner."

Busch concluded by sending love to team drivers Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, including the new driver for the No. 35 car, Riley Herbst.

"Love ya @tyler_reddick @bubbawallace and welcome my Vegas buddy @rileyherbst."

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season witnessed 23XI Racing reaching the Championship 4 with Tyler Reddick. The No. 45 Toyota Camry driver competed for the title at Phoenix Raceway against Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and William Byron.

However, Joey Logano got the best of the rest and won his third championship.

As for Kurt Busch, the former driver said he was committed to returning to racing "with a renewed focus." For now, the details of his return remain scarce, though 23XI Racing wrote on its Instagram bio that Busch is still part of the team.

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Kurt Busch once reflected on his decision to retire from NASCAR

While Kurt Busch's career might've ended prematurely, the former driver had no regrets over retiring from full-time competition. Busch believed he had a good run and would not want to change a thing in his two-decade career.

Speaking with racer.com in 2023, the now 46-year-old former driver said:

"It’s been a nice run. I’ve been very blessed and privileged to have been able to run for over two decades. I’ve met all the different people, the teams, the sponsors, and have won the races and wrecked some cars and have developed teams.

He added:

It was a good run and I don’t think there’s anything that I could have done any better or different. Looking back on it all, I would not change a thing."

Perhaps Kurt Busch's career highlight was winning the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Driving the No. 97 Ford for Roush Racing, Busch won the title against NASCAR legends including Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The Las Vegas native drove for multiple teams until he landed a seat at 23XI Racing in 2022. While he had a full-time schedule in the No. 45 Toyota, his season was cut short due to the career-ending crash at Pocono Raceway.

Kurt Busch's won his final Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway - Source: Imagn

Busch concluded his run in the premier series with 34 victories, including one win with 23XI Racing at Kansas Speedway.