Kurt Busch, the esteemed 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, recently announced his retirement from NASCAR Cup racing, marking the end of a remarkable 23-year journey behind the wheel. With 45 years of unwavering dedication to the racing dream, Busch’s decision to step away from full-time racing was influenced by a concussion sustained during a qualifying lap accident at Pocono Raceway.
In his absence, Tyler Reddick assumed the mantle of the #45 car and achieved a triumphant victory at the Road Course at COTA in his debut year with 23XI Racing. The moment Reddick crossed the checkered flag, Kurt Busch’s emotional reaction resonated deeply with fans and media alike, underscoring the profound impact of his legacy on the sport.
Kurt Busch’s emotions overflowed about his 45 car
You can hear the emotion in @KurtBusch's voice. 🥺 pic.twitter.com/t6MkkD0gff
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 22, 2024
Who has the better chance to win at COTA on Monday?
COTA is a challenging road course with its 20 different turns, elevation changes, and bumpy surface, that truly tests the drivers.
Tyler Reddick, the defending champion at COTA, Reddick has consistently performed well here. He has many good performances at the Road Courses which makes him a strong contender.
On the other hand, Chase Elliott has also excelled at COTA. Although he missed the race last year due to injury, his previous performances include a fourth-place finish in 2022 and a first-place victory in 2021. His road course skills make him a strong contender. William Byron has shown promise on road courses but only time will reveal who will cross the checkered flag first.