Veteran NASCAR champion Kurt Busch is reflecting with gratitude and pride following the announcement of his nomination for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2025. In a heartfelt statement, Busch said, “I am very grateful to be nominated for NASCAR’s Hall of Fame. It’s an honor to be recognized at this top level. Thank you to NASCAR, my race teams, my family, and to the race fans.”
A Storied Career
Kurt Busch’s name is synonymous with determination, talent, and longevity in NASCAR. Over two decades, he earned 34 NASCAR Cup Series victories, including the 2004 Cup Series Championship—the first under the current playoff format. His career also featured a triumph at the 2017 Daytona 500 and wins with five different organizations, a rare feat in modern NASCAR history.
Busch’s versatility and competitive fire made him one of the most respected drivers of his era. Known for his aggressive driving style and technical feedback, he played a pivotal role in elevating every team he joined—from Roush Racing to Penske, Stewart-Haas, and most recently, 23XI Racing.
A Career Cut Short—but Impact Endures
Busch’s full-time driving career came to an early end following a crash at Pocono in 2022 that led to lingering concussion symptoms. Despite stepping away from competition, he remained active in the sport, mentoring young drivers and representing 23XI Racing in a leadership capacity.
His nomination to the Hall of Fame cements his legacy not only as a fierce competitor but as a contributor to the sport’s growth in multiple ways.
Legacy and Gratitude
As the motorsports world celebrates his Hall of Fame nomination, Busch’s humility shines through. His thanks extended to the race fans who supported him through every chapter of his rollercoaster career—from his 2000 Cup debut to his emotional final laps.
Voting for the 2025 NASCAR Hall of Fame class will take place in May, and if inducted, Busch would join his younger brother Kyle as the first pair of brothers in the Hall since Bobby and Donnie Allison.
One thing is clear—Kurt Busch’s place among NASCAR’s greats is already secure in the hearts of fans and competitors alike.
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**Pietro Fittipaldi Eyes NASCAR Debut with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91**
Pietro Fittipaldi, the Brazilian-American Haas F1 reserve driver and grandson of two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, is closer than ever to realizing his NASCAR dream after a near-miss four years ago. Now 28, Fittipaldi’s journey from open-wheel racing to stock cars has reignited interest, with Trackhouse Racing’s innovative “Project 91” program emerging as a potential gateway for his debut.
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### **Background: A Lifelong Passion for Stock Cars**
Fittipaldi’s roots in NASCAR trace back to his childhood in Miami, where he began karting at age nine. By 2011, he was competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, earning a Limited Late Models track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2012. Reflecting on this period, he noted, *“I learned so much from car racing through NASCAR”*—a foundation that fueled his versatility across disciplines like IndyCar, endurance racing, and F1.
Despite his success in Europe—including titles in Formula Renault and Formula V8 3.5—Fittipaldi’s heart remained tied to oval racing. In 2021, a collaboration between Dale Coyne Racing and Rick Ware Racing nearly secured him a NASCAR road course seat, but logistical hurdles derailed the plan. Rick Ware, a Cup Series team owner, praised Fittipaldi’s talent, calling him a “natural fit” for NASCAR.
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### **The Trackhouse Racing Opportunity**
Trackhouse Racing’s **Project 91**—a initiative designed to bring global motorsport stars into NASCAR—has become Fittipaldi’s most promising avenue. The program previously hosted F1 legend Kimi Räikkönen and Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, who transitioned to full-time NASCAR racing after his Project 91 debut.
In a recent interview, Fittipaldi expressed enthusiasm: *“Of course, it would be amazing. I feel like my roots are NASCAR racing… I’ve always loved oval racing too”*. Trackhouse’s openness to international talent aligns with Fittipaldi’s profile, especially given his dual role as Haas F1’s reserve driver and his current commitments in IMSA and the European Le Mans Series.
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### **Challenges and Logistics**
Balancing F1 duties with a NASCAR debut remains a hurdle. Fittipaldi’s schedule includes reserve drives for Haas, IMSA races with Pratt Miller Motorsports, and ELMS campaigns with Vector Sport. However, Trackhouse’s flexible Project 91 model—which allows for one-off entries—could accommodate his packed calendar.
Another factor is equipment availability. Trackhouse’s No. 91 car is reserved for guest drivers, but the team also fields the No. 88 for van Gisbergen. With van Gisbergen now racing full-time, Fittipaldi could target road courses like Circuit of the Americas or Watkins Glen, where his open-wheel expertise would shine.
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### **Historical Context: F1 Drivers in NASCAR**
Fittipaldi’s potential move follows a small but notable trend of F1 drivers exploring NASCAR. Champions like Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, and Juan Pablo Montoya have all dabbled in stock cars, though none achieved sustained success. Fittipaldi’s unique background—blending NASCAR grassroots experience with F1 technical knowledge—could set him apart.
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### **Conclusion: A Full-Circle Moment**
For Fittipaldi, a NASCAR debut would fulfill a lifelong ambition. As he told *Frontstretch*, *“I was super excited to do it back then… It feels like destiny.”* With Trackhouse’s global vision and his own resilience—honed through a career-threatening 2018 crash at Spa—the stars may finally align for this cross-disciplinary racer.
If successful, Fittipaldi’s journey could further bridge the gap between F1 and NASCAR, inspiring a new generation of drivers to embrace versatility in motorsport.
