NASCAR: 5 drivers most likely to switch teams for 2022

Drivers most likely to switch teams after 2021: No. 3 – Kurt Busch

We know that Kurt Busch won’t be back with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2022. The question is whether he will “switch teams” after 2021 or retire. More than likely, the former is what is in store.

Speculation surrounding the future of Busch has begun to heat up in recent weeks amid Trackhouse Racing Team’s purchase of his current team, Chip Ganassi Racing, and rumors of 23XI Racing expanding to two cars for next year.

Busch signed a two-year contract extension with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2019 to continue driving for the team through 2021. He did so believing that he had netted himself the opportunity to drive the Next Gen car for at least one year.

But the debut of the Next Gen car was delayed from the 2021 season until the 2022 season as a result of the impact that COVID-19-related restrictions had on the 2020 season, and now the 2004 champion does not have a contract in place that guarantees him that opportunity, nor does he drive for a team slated to be around next year.

Ahead of the 2021 season, a video was released in which Busch said that he had done everything he wanted to do and that he was content with whatever came next. Many saw it as a retirement announcement, but several months later, there has not been a formal retirement announcement.

Busch has confirmed that he has several options for next year. He noted that he has been contacted by both 23XI Racing and Trackhouse Racing Team, two teams that could benefit greatly by adding a veteran presence, especially in their second seasons.