In a surprise move Monday, it was announced that Kurt Busch will leave Penske Racing in what was described as a "mutual split".
Busch, the 2004 Sprint Cup Champion, ran out of favor with the team after multiple run-ins on the track, primarily with his feud with five-time champion Jimmie Johnson. He had also had run-ins off the track as well, which ultimately led to his demise at Penske Racing.
It all started when Busch let his emotions get the better of him after a transmission failure early in the season finale at Homestead.
He then proceeded to make an obscene gesture that just happened to be towards Michelle Obama's motorcade.
Busch would then go on to have a profanity-laced spout with ESPN infield reporter and longtime NASCAR enthusiast, Dr. Jerry Punch. A fan was filming the tirade and the video ultimately went viral on YouTube.
In my opinion, there was no need for Busch to do that, especially to Punch who has been in the NASCAR business for a long time. Punch did not deserve it at all, but you really can't expect that much from Busch.
NASCAR fined Busch $50,000 for the tirade and Penske, along with his sponsor, Shell Pennzoil, reprimanded him.
In a statement released by Busch, he thanked team owner Roger Penske "for the opportunity that he has given me."
"I am grateful to Penske Racing for six very productive years. Together we won a lot of races -- 16 in all," Busch said. "Leaving a great organization and a lucrative contract is not easy, but it's an important step for me and allows me to take a deep breath to work on things that can make me a better driver and a better person."
Busch posted a video on his website, stating that he recently lost the fun aspect of racing. He would also go on to say that he "needed a fresh start."
He would go on to say in the video, ""I realized I just needed to put the fun back in racing. I needed a fresh start. Walking way from a great organization and a lucrative contract, it's not easy. But it allows me to take a deep breath and work on things that can make me a better driver and a better person.''
"This is going to help me better deal with my emotions moving forward, especially those moments right outside the race car. I never want to take for granted that it's a privilege to earn a living as a NASCAR driver," Busch said. "As I begin this new chapter in my life, I'm excited about the future and committed to making the changes necessary to enjoy racing again.''
With Busch's exit, the main question now is what will happen to Busch? There is no doubt that the former champion will find a ride elsewhere, but to whom?
There are quite a few teams still looking for a driver. Busch could always return to Roush Racing, where he got his start in the business. David Ragan, who has driven for Roush Racing the last few seasons, was relieved of his duties earlier today also, which could lead to a return to Roush for Busch.
But with 2011 Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. rising to the top in NASCAR, there may be no room for Busch as it has been rumored that Stenhouse will race a full-time schedule next season for Roush Fenway Racing.
It is always plausible that Busch could head to Joe Gibbs Racing, replacing Joey Logano, who has been somewhat of a disappointment since arriving in Sprint Cup. If he were to team up with Gibbs, he would be teammates with younger brother, Kyle Busch.
He could also head to Richard Petty Motorsports, after the team failed to sign Clint Bowyer to a contract. Bowyer eventually signed with Michael Waltrip Racing and will drive the No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota. RPM has stated in the past that they are looking for another driver to team up with Marcos Ambrose and A.J. Allmendinger.
And not to mention, if Tony Stewart was looking to add another stable to his Stewart-Haas Racing team, Busch would be an ideal fit as he would team up with 2011 champion Stewart and Ryan Newman.
Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing could also look to add a third ride to the stable that also features Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya.
Former Roush Fenway driver David Ragan has stated since his release that he wants the Penske ride that Busch vacated earlier in the day. There is a very strong possibility that it could lead to a swap.
However, Shell Pennzoil stated last year that they wanted a championship-caliber driver to drive their car, which may not help Ragan, who has been far from a championship contender since he entered NASCAR's top-tier series.
David Reutimann has also been rumored to head to Penske Racing.
But there is no doubt that Kurt Busch will be able to find a full-time ride for the 2012 Sprint Cup season.
Drivers looking for rides in 2012: David Reutimann, David Ragan, Brian Vickers, David Gilliland, Travis Kvapil, J.J. Yeley and Kurt Busch
