"NASCAR told me I gotta get in my car" - When Kurt Busch snapped at reporter Jamie Little after penalty delay

Kurt Busch once lashed out at a pit reporter after being delayed by a penalty in a pre-race inspection. The former Cup Series driver was later released by Penske Racing reportedly due to another scuffle at the season's final race.

In the 2011 Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the former Cup champ faced issues with the rear-end housing on the #22. As a result, Busch and Co. couldn't roll the Dodge until after the National Anthem.

While walking towards the car on the pit road, renowned journalist Jamie Little approached the Las Vegas, Nevada native and asked if it was OK to ask a question. In the heated moment, the 2017 Daytona 500 winner Busch responded:

"Why the f*** do you think I would be OK? I gotta go get in my car. NASCAR told me I gotta get in my car."

Several spotters warned their Cup Series drivers in that race because of the heated exchange between Busch and the media, implying Kyle Busch's elder brother's aggressive driving style.

Moreover, that wasn't the end of the verbal argument. After prematurely retiring from the season's final race at the 2011 Homestead-Miami Speedway, Busch abused the ESPN broadcaster Dr. Jerry Punch. As a result, Busch was fined $50,000 for his inappropriate behavior.

Here's a clip of the interaction between Kurt Busch and Punch that was captured by a fan:

In his 24-year-long NASCAR career, Kurt Busch has competed in over 750 races and garnered 34 wins. He announced his full-time retirement from the sport in 2022 after suffering from concussion at Pocono Raceway.

---

"It's not one moment that led to this,": Kurt Busch on reasons behind his retirement announcement

NASCAR: Coke Zero Sugar 400 - Source: Imagn

2004 Cup Series champion Kurt Busch last competed for 23XI Racing behind the #45 Toyota Camry. However, he had to take time off after a major on-track accident in the 2022 Pocono race, which eventually turned out to be his final race in NASCAR's premier division.

In the press release, Busch addressed that the concussion wasn't the only reason to part ways from full-time racing as several factors led him to make this decision. He said (via NASCAR):

"It’s not one moment that’s led to this. It’s a few different factors, and my body is having a battle with Father Time. I’ve had arthritis ever since I can remember. My gout has flared up so much that I can barely walk on some days. Just pushing to get through physical therapy and to continue the workouts. I remember last summer, I was trying to not show that emotion, and I barely could even walk to the car at Dover because I had to have some shots pre-race just so that I could move my knee and move my feet. Those are those moments where things were starting to add up before things happened at Pocono.

"So, Father Time. I’m 45 years old. I’m very happy, complacent, and there’s nothing that I look back on and regret about having this opportunity at the top level of NASCAR," Busch added.

Although the veteran driver remained in the consultation role for 23XI Racing and aided drivers like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick with his expertise. He was also the brand ambassador for Monster Energy.

Currently, his younger brother, Kyle Busch, competes full-time in the Cup Series as the #8 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing.