Kurt Busch: “Winning Daytona 500 can change your life”

How do you explain your good form in recent years?

I feel confident after everything I have accomplished in Nascar Cup Series and motorsport. At this point in my career, it's easy to give back and help younger team members and engineers. You could say that I am the mentor of Ross Chastain (28 years old, his teammate. Ed.) who is, in my opinion, one of the rising stars in the category. I feel good in this role and I like my current situation.

What impressed you about Ross Chastain?

Firstly, his way of working. There is nothing to reproach him for. His commitment to reaching the level he is at today is second to none. He knows his weaknesses and his strengths. Sometimes he gets intimidated because he has a top car and he races full time, and he says to me, "What happens if you have a bad race at Daytona?" ? or “What if I make a mistake in Las Vegas?” » And I said to him: “Hey, take it easy. Let’s start with these first five races and we’ll see what happens next.” He shows his desire, his desire to do well, but his nervousness too.

What does the Daytona 500 mean to a driver?

Daytona 500 is the most prestigious stock car race. Winning it can change your life. It's a legendary, historic event... Your performance there gives you so much pride. That's what motivates me to go there: trying to steal the victory from others and offer it to Chip Ganassi Racing.

How do you prepare for the Daytona 500? 

This race is totally different from the others... It is the first of the year, the one which enjoys the greatest fame. Before the race, we always wonder if we have prepared everything well despite all these months of work. And it brings so many emotions. When you put on your helmet and turn on the ignition, you say to yourself: “It’s time! ". It's a 500 mile event (around 800 kilometers. Editor's note) all the same. You have to be able to manage emotions from the start of the year.

Do you still find the desire to win the Daytona 500 after a first victory?

Absolutely. The years before my victory at Daytona, I was full of humility. My victory in 2017 was a unique experience. When you go to defend your victory, a special energy fills you... and then the race doesn't go well and you have this feeling that the track is controlling you. This has been my approach for several years. You have to be humble. You can't always go to that track expecting to win. You go there to try to control everything you can control in order to be in a position to win.

With the new car arriving next year, have you set yourself a deadline to slow down?

Not really. I clearly understood, after a year like the one we have just experienced, that you have to know how to be flexible. That's the word I remember. I haven't had any discussions yet with Chip Ganassi, my sponsors and Chevrolet, we will get together at the right time to talk about it.