Kurt Busch, Monster Energy returning to Stewart-Haas Racing for 2018 season
By Nick Tylwalk
With no other obvious option in sight, it always seemed likely that Kurt Busch would end up returning to the No. 41.
The unusual notion of NASCAR having its defending Daytona 500 champ unemployed has been avoided. Kurt Busch is headed back to Stewart-Haas Racing, with sponsor Monster Energy in tow.
ESPN’s Bob Pockrass reported on the reunion, which was confirmed by Busch himself on Twitter.
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) December 12, 2017
It’s been an interesting Silly Season where Busch and Stewart-Haas Racing have been involved. Despite winning the season-opening Daytona 500 and becoming the first driver to guarantee himself a playoff spot in 2017, Busch rarely threatened to win another race the rest of the way and was mostly a non-factor when the postseason arrived.
Prior to the playoffs, it had already been reported that SHR did not pick up its option on the driver for 2018, leading to an awkward time when both Busch and the team said they expected to be back together but neither had anything to announce. The sticking point was thought to be sponsorship, as Monster Energy — which, obviously, is also the title sponsor of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series — was said to be considering how it spent its 2018 dollars in the sport.
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That appears to have been worked out, though it remains to be seen how many races will see Monster on the hood of Busch’s No. 41 Ford. Expect co-owner Gene Haas’ company, Haas Automation, to sponsor the car the rest of the time as it has in past seasons.
Busch’s return means that Stewart-Haas will have just one new driver in its 2018 lineup, with Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer returning to the 4 and 14, respectively. Aric Almirola will replace Danica Patrick in the No. 10 Smithfield Ford for the coming season. Busch had referenced talking to other teams over the past few weeks, but a return was always the most logical and likely outcome, one that’s come to pass in plenty of time to prepare for Daytona.