NASCAR Cup Series: Kurt Busch will not return to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2019
By Asher Fair
After spending the last five seasons driving for Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, Kurt Busch will not return to the team in 2019.
It was speculated in August that Kurt Busch would not be returning to Stewart-Haas Racing in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season, which would be his sixth season as a full-time driver for the team.
Now it has been confirmed that the 40-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada native will not be returning to Stewart-Haas Racing as the driver of the #41 Ford next year after spending each of the last five seasons driving for the team.
Busch confirmed this news on Twitter, and Stewart-Haas Racing team co-owner Tony Stewart also tweeted about the matter, as did Stewart-Haas Racing’s official Twitter page.
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) December 3, 2018
Beyond these numbers, you brought passion and a never-ending desire to win. You helped shape @StewartHaasRcng into the team it is today. Thank you. https://t.co/W7xtFKZ6ag
— Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) December 3, 2018
Amazing how fast five years goes by… especially when @KurtBusch is at the wheel. Your dedication and desire are hard to match. Know the next chapter of your career will be great. From all of us, thank you. pic.twitter.com/zOh1FsLkGy
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) December 3, 2018
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It was also speculated in August that Busch would end up replacing Jamie McMurray at Chip Ganassi Racing behind the wheel of the #1 Chevrolet. While it was confirmed in September that McMurray will not be returning to Chip Ganassi Racing next year, it has not been confirmed as to whether or not Busch will end up being his replacement.
It is not yet known who Busch’s replacement behind the wheel of the #41 Ford will be, but there have been several potential candidates suggested over the course of the last few months.
In five seasons driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, Busch competed in 180 races and earned up a total of six victories. He won at least one race in each of his five seasons driving for the team. He earned a total of 37 top five finishes, 90 top 10 finishes and 11 pole positions in these 180 races.
Busch has earned 30 victories, 137 top five finishes, 280 top 10 finishes and 27 pole positions in 648 career starts over the course of his 19-year career in the Cup Series so far. He has driven full-time in each of the last 18 seasons.
Stewart-Haas Racing’s other three drivers from the 2018 season are all set to return next year. Kevin Harvick is set to continue driving the #4 Ford while Aric Almirola is set to continue driving the #10 Ford and Clint Bowyer is set to continue driving the #14 Ford.
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Who will end up replacing Kurt Busch behind the wheel of the #41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season? Will Busch continue driving in the Cup Series next year? If so, for which team will he drive?