NASCAR champion Kurt Busch touched down in Chicago for 48 hours of sports-filled enjoyable, and says he is hoping {that a} return journey might be within the playing cards for this summer season for the upcoming NASCAR Chicago Street Race.

“I’m pushing hard to be ready for the Chicago Street Race,” Busch stated in an unique interview with NBC Chicago. “Whether I’m in the car or not I’ll still be here, it’s gonna be an incredible event.”

The 44-year-old stepped away from racing full-time after being injured in a crash in July 2022. Busch has but to be cleared by medical doctors to renew racing, as he nonetheless coping with the lingering results of a concussion attributable to the crash.

While returning to full-time might not be within the playing cards, he is working exhausting to get again to 100% for the road race. The occasion is one thing that Busch seems to be ahead to, as he says it is an unprecedented course for NASCAR.

“The newness, the uniqueness, and just the challenge of being on the street course, NASCAR’s never done this before,” he informed NBC. “It’ll be fun. The back straightaway areas on Lake Shore Drive … the scenic value of just being around Buckingham Fountain and Grant Park, the city landscape. That’s what makes this all the unique powerful event that it’s going to be.”

Busch is within the Windy City this week dwelling out the final word Chicago sports activities fan’s dream. In partnership with Toyota, he is set to attend a variety of sporting and promotional occasions, in addition to study extra about preparations for the road race.

He’ll kick off his fast keep within the metropolis by stopping by Harry Caray’s Toast on the River at Navy Pier tonight, earlier than watching the Chicago Bulls tackle the Los Angeles Lakers on the United Center.

On Thursday, Busch might be on the Cubs’ season opener at Wrigley Field. Then it is on to the Blackhawks sport, the place he’ll take part within the “Shoot the Puck” promotion in the course of the second intermission.

Busch has private connections to town. He is at the moment a member of 23XI (pronounced “23-11”), a NASCAR workforce co-owned by Michael Jordan.

“This is beyond any of my wildest dreams, to race for the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time), right. And to have that sense of responsibility and pride to preform for him. But he makes it super simple, we just all race together as a team, just like any other team would,” he stated.

However, these Chicago ties go a lot deeper.

“I’m a Chicagoan, little do you guys know. My family is from Chicago, and I love this city.” he defined to us. “My dad’s from Schaumburg, mom’s from Arlington Heights. Love the North Siders.”

While with regards to that individual Northern suburb, Busch additionally provided his ideas on the Bears’ potential transfer to Arlington Heights.

“That’s gonna be huge! Will it happen? I don’t know. But I think all Chicagoans will absorb the change and newness, because everybody here pulls together with pride.”

To study extra in regards to the upcoming NASCAR Chicago Street Race, see the website.