Kurt Busch

Kurt Thomas Busch (born August 4, 1978) is an American retired professional stock car racing driver. He is best known for competing in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2000 to 2022, last driving the number 45 Toyota Camry TRD for 23XI Racing. Busch is the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion and the 2017 Daytona 500 winner. He is the brother of the late Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion. Busch began his NASCAR Cup Series career in 2000, driving for teams including 23XI Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Stewart–Haas Racing, Furniture Row Racing, Phoenix Racing, Penske Racing, and Roush Racing. He has won 34 Cup races and claimed the championship in the inaugural "Chase for the Cup" points format. In 2006, he joined an elite group of 36 drivers to win races in all three of NASCAR's top divisions: the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Camping World Truck Series. Early in his career, Busch gained attention for his aggressive driving and clashes with competitors, team members, and the media. Over time, he became known for helping his teams enhance their programs. Beyond stock car racing, Busch has competed in the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Daytona, and the National Hot Rod Association. In 2023, he was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers. He was also elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame for their Class of 2026 in his first year of eligibility.