There’s no one who wouldn’t agree to the fact that what happened with Kurt Busch was sad and incredibly unfortunate. The 23XI Racing driver was flying high last season in his new team, a new chapter of his already vibrant career was beginning to write itself when things went south.
Busch sustained a concussion, which essentially ended his NASCAR career abruptly.
Of course, the team had to find a replacement for him, and it just happened to be that Tyler Reddick was signed by the Denny Hamlin–Michael Jordan-owned organization. But Busch’s situation forced 23XI into bringing Reddick a year earlier than it was planned, which partly happened with his own situation at Richard Childress Racing.
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Anyway, the veteran remained with the team in a key role despite not being inside the car on Sundays. Reddick took over the #45 team, and on Sunday, they won their first race at The Circuit of The Americas, which got Kurt Busch pretty emotional.
Kurt Busch couldn’t hold back his tears after Tyler Reddick won in Austin
As Tyler Reddick completed the last few corners on the final lap of the race, Kurt Busch expressed his joy, his emotions, and the bittersweet feeling of watching someone do what he could’ve done if not for the injury last season.
“It’s amazing, 23XI, and how fast we’re growing, how much we’re doing together. It’s forward together, it brings…it brings me a little bit choked up. I was hoping I’d be back in that car but it’s in good hands,” he said. “It’s a great team and I love racing with those guys.”
It’s worth mentioning that Denny Hamlin was also reported as reiterating that Kurt Busch “is still a @23XIRacing driver and a team member for life.”
.@dennyhamlin: "@KurtBusch is still a @23XIRacing driver and a team member for life." #NASCAR
— Chris Knight (@Knighter01) March 27, 2023
WATCH THIS STORY: Kyle Busch has a bold 7-word warning for NASCAR as he admits to being guilty of wrecking another driver to win”
Busch’s emotional reaction to Reddick’s win resonated with the NASCAR community
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Kurt Busch’s emotional admission after Tyler Reddick’s win was something that immediately resonated incredibly inside the NASCAR community as they all felt his pain and shared his sadness.
Damn. Feel for Kurt Busch hearing that.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) March 26, 2023
We appreciate you, @KurtBusch.
Kurt was emotional seeing the No. 45 car race to victory with @TylerReddick behind the wheel.
(Via @NASCAR) pic.twitter.com/y7nIlPGPdL
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) March 26, 2023
.@KurtBusch raw emotion, getting choked up watching the 45 win that race…it got me.
— Jamie Little (@JamieLittleTV) March 27, 2023
But still, the sad tears of what could’ve been soon turned into the happy tears of what is as Busch celebrated joyously in the victory lane with the race winner.
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In fact, according to journalist Alan Cavanna, Kurt Busch may have some good news for his fans pretty soon.
Kurt Busch was one of the happiest people in victory lane, showing a ton of emotion…even happy tears.
He told me he's got a doctor's appointment tomorrow in Charlotte, hopeful for a positive update.@KurtBusch @23XIRacing
— Alan Cavanna (@AlanCavanna) March 27, 2023
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“He told me he’s got a doctor’s appointment tomorrow in Charlotte, hopeful for a positive update,” Cavanna said of Busch.