Kurt Busch famously retired at the end of the 2022 season, majorly because of the symptoms of his health. But it seems like he could make a comeback as Denny Hamlin made a major announcement.
Travis Pastrana’s new entry could have an alternative purpose as 23XI Racing will build a third team for the upcoming ride.
In a recent interview, Hamlin talked about the experience he’s having working with the former Red Bull stunt driver and everything he’s taught him so far.
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Why Travis Pastrana for a third 23XI Racing car for the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin describes the reason as the team wants to start building a third team in case Kurt Busch can and wants to run some races. pic.twitter.com/qRc0rEy79L
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 17, 2023
Hamlin applauded how well Pastrana is responding to the help they’re giving him. “I got plenty of advice to give them for sure. I mean, he’s listening, that’s for sure. But, you know, Travis came to us and obviously with a great opportunity, and, you know, we were just honored for him to choose us to go on this endeavor and knock off this bucket list item for him.”
Furthermore, the 23XI co-owner explained that it’s not the stunt drivers’ first run in Stock Cars, and also how it helps the team to have someone like him complete his bucket list with the Jordan-backed team, “He’s obviously been in NASCAR before. He’s been a NASCAR fan for a long time and for us personally on a race team. We’d like to get our feet wet and work on our third team. And work on the personnel for that. So I think this gives us an opportunity to kind of do dry runs for that for our future.”
But there is an alternative reason for 23XI Racing starting a third team though.
Denny Hamlin revealed the major Kurt Busch-related reason for the third team
Although Kurt Busch announced his retirement, Hamlin has wanted to keep a free environment for Busch to race for as long as he liked. Despite his retirement, Hamlin admitted, “That’s kind of the gameplan for us with our 23 XI team is that if Kurt decides that he wants to run races, we have to be prepared for that. And we have to be prepared to feel a very competitive race car. And so by us doing this with Travis, it allows us as a race team to build that depth. “
Seems like Hamlin has kept his word despite the future Busch decides for himself.
Moreover, he also revealed the additional plans for the team. “We’ve been very lean on our personnel for the first two, three years of our inception. Now we’re starting to build some depth to, you know, you always have crew members out for family reasons or health reasons.”
The 23XI Racing co-owner mocked himself for the way we looked in the interview
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The interview had a lot of important stuff, with the small possibility of Kurt Busch coming back to the grid. Maybe even just to run a few races that season. Moreover, Travis Pastrana will have an appearance in the NASCAR field, which will be great for the sport, and NASCAR as a whole. But there was one thing Denny even joked about.
Seems like he was pretty warm sitting in the interview, or maybe just having an oily skin day because his forehead and nose were shining brighter than his career.
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Of course, he couldn’t hold back joking about it.
On my. How about a little powder for the nose and forehead.. 🥵
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) January 17, 2023
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WATCH THIS STORY: Denny Hamlin Leaves NASCAR Fans in a Frenzy After Boasting Partner Michael Jordan’s Signature Collection
So, after everything, do you believe there’s a possibility of Busch returning to the cup series? Let us know in the comments.