Kurt Busch finished third overall at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15 June, his first race since the death of his brother Kyle Busch in May. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series winner completed 367 laps in the Proton Competition-run Porsche 911 RSR-19, securing a podium in the GTE Am class.

What happened in the race?

Busch and teammates Gianmaria Bruni, Harry Tincknell and Matteo Cairoli drove the No. 77 Porsche to a third-place finish in the GTE Am class. The trio completed 367 laps around the 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe, finishing 11 laps behind the winners. Their car ran cleanly all race, avoiding the attrition that plagued many higher-rated entries.

The result came just weeks after Busch announced his return to competition following a brief retirement announcement in April. His participation at Le Mans was seen as a tribute to his late brother, who had competed in the event multiple times during his own career.

Why it matters for Kurt Busch

For Busch, the podium marked more than a racing result — it was a statement. The 47-year-old had walked away from NASCAR in April, citing the need to step back from the sport’s relentless schedule. His decision to race in France showed his commitment to the track, even amid personal grief.

His performance also underscored his versatility. Though best known for NASCAR stock car racing, Busch has long expressed admiration for endurance racing’s challenge. The Le Mans return gave him a chance to compete at the highest level of global motorsport, a far cry from the short ovals and road courses of the Cup Series.

What comes next for Busch?

Busch has not announced his next race, but insiders suggest he could return to NASCAR later this season. Team owner Rick Ware has previously indicated support for Busch’s schedule flexibility, especially given his emotional connection to the sport.

The question now is whether this Le Mans outing was a one-off tribute or the start of a new chapter. Busch has not ruled out further endurance starts, though his focus remains on NASCAR when he’s behind the wheel of a Cup car.

The Busch family’s ties to Le Mans

Kyle Busch competed in the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans, co-driving a Riley Motorsports-run Ligier JS P217 in the LMP2 class. He finished 12th overall, completing 351 laps. His presence in the event highlighted the family’s deep roots in both NASCAR and international endurance racing.

Kurt’s podium in the same race series — and in the same month — adds a poignant layer to the story. It’s a reminder that motorsport runs in the Busch family, even as the sport mourns one of its brightest stars.