Busch: Return to SHR possible

Kurt Busch continues to field offers after Stewart-Haas Racing opted not to pick up the 2018 option on his contract Aug. 1, but the 2004 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion said a return to the team would be a simple matter.

“It’s as easy as them giving me an offer,” Busch said in a phone interview with USA TODAY Sports.

Busch, who qualified for the Cup series playoffs by winning the season-opening Daytona 500, was on a media junket in Chicago on Monday preceding an organizational test Tuesday at Chicagoland Speedway, site of the 10-race postseason opener Sept. 17.

SHR officials, including coowner Gene Haas in an interview with Motorsport.com and executive Joe Custer in an interview with USA TODAY Sports, have expressed a strong belief that Busch will return to the No. 41 Ford.

Busch, 39, said he has been surprised by the number of veteran drivers in limbo — including former teammate Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne — but isn’t concerned about how late a deal somewhere would materialize.

Busch said sponsor Monster Energy moving with him to another team is “a possibility” but added “there’s a lot of moving parts.”

Monster Energy has not made public whether it will renew with SHR or NASCAR as entitlement sponsor. The company must exercise a two-year option with the series for 2019 and 2020 this year.

Busch’s post-Daytona 500 celebration evolved into a bash including fellow brand endorser and New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.

“I don’t know what their stance is on it, but they’ve always told me they love my personality, they love my tenacity out on the track and the ability for their customers to root for a car on track is very important to them,” Busch said of his relationship with Monster.

“And so I’m glad I’m delivering on my side of it. Yes, we need to be running up front more often and going for wins each week, and that’s ultimately what my job is.”

Busch is 14th in the standings with three regular-season races remaining and has two top-five finishes and 10 top-10s. He finished 11th on Sunday at Michigan.