Kurt Busch (born August 4, 1978) is a retired American stock car racing driver who competed in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2000 to 2022, securing the 2004 championship and the 2017 Daytona 500. Over his career, he amassed 34 Cup wins and, in 2006, joined an elite group of drivers to win races in all three of NASCAR's top divisions (Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks). His journey began in Dwarf cars at age 14, but his big break came when he replaced the injured Chris Trickle; he later won a Southwest Series title and earned a Roush Racing ride, where he famously clashed with Dale Earnhardt during the 2001 Daytona 500—remaining the last active driver to have raced against Earnhardt. Initially known for aggressive driving, Busch evolved into a team-builder who significantly improved his crews' performance. Beyond stock cars, he competed in the Indianapolis 500 and the NHRA, and in 2023 he was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers, with induction into the Hall of Fame for 2026.