Despite a recent mass exodus of drivers retiring or getting forced out of their NASCAR rides, Kurt Busch doesn’t expect to join his peers on the sidelines anytime soon.

But the defending Daytona 500 winner and 2004 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion had an eventful offseason, needing to restructure his contract with Stewart-Haas Racing once the team decided to exercise an opt-out clause back in August.

It was a complicated scenario because Busch is sponsored by the presenting sponsor of the Cup Series, with Monster Energy deciding whether it will continue in that capacity beyond the 2018 season. So there were just a lot of moving parts to sort out for Busch to return to the No. 41 Ford Fusion.

But the 39-year-old is back on a one-year deal and hoping to remain in the sport for as long as possible.

"There are many balls in the air, but you have to be smart this day in age and you can’t just have one plan because things change quickly," Busch said on Tuesday during the NASCAR Media Tour. "I like to have options, and that is an option for me. It is that drive and desire to win races still for me.

"I want to win more. Last year was great with Daytona, but we want to win more for Haas, Monster and Ford and everyone on the NASCAR side."

Even though Busch didn’t officially sign until December, he had no doubt he would return. Throughout the entire process, Busch and team owners Gene Haas and Tony Stewart expressed a willingness to complete an agreement.

"I think it shows that I was truthful through the whole process with everybody and giving the information when I needed to and helping everybody write the stories and keep up with the news," Busch said. "At the end of the day, there are so many parts and pieces to the sponsorship and NASCAR’s entitlement sponsorship.

"We all agreed that we should do a one-year deal and look to revisit things once we get the season back underway."

But once again, Busch will likely be waiting deep into Silly Season for a plan to materialize for 2019 and beyond. NASCAR had originally given Monster Energy a December deadline but granted an extension.

So Busch’s own career is partially tied to that decision.

"For me on the inside, I know how Monster engages at the track, and ultimately my job is to go out there and drive the 41, haul ass and win," Busch said. "I do know a lot of the ins and outs of what is going on the business side behind the scenes. The deadline that existed in December has been pushed to January-February.

"We will see what happens. Once that domino is put in place the others will fall in place. I feel good about all the different situations. Being part of the Monster brand has been a fun fraternity to be a part of over the years."

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