Kurt Busch confident he’ll return to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2018

Kurt Busch believes he’s returning to Stewart-Haas Racing next year, but the 2004 Cup Series champion is still waiting on the team co-owned by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas to pick up his option.

Busch joined SHR in 2014, and during his tenure has won at least one race each season and never failed to qualify for the postseason. The 2004 champion is virtually assured of making the playoffs this season after winning the Daytona 500 in February.

“The team has the option on my contract and they just have to notify me by a certain date if they are going to pick that option up,” Busch said Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. “It’s as easy as that.

“I don’t have any worries. I know that I delivered for the team. Our performance level isn’t one that should be in question. Winning the Daytona 500 is special, but performing week in and week out, the deliverables that I bring sponsorship wise, that comes into play.”

One of the hang-ups on whether Busch will continue with SHR is if Monster Energy continues sponsoring the No. 41 car. The beverage company is Busch’s primary or associate sponsor in 34 of 36 points races, in addition to both exhibition events on the Cup Series schedule.

Along with backing Busch, Monster also began serving as Cup Series entitlement sponsor this season. That contract is for two years, with options to extend beyond the 2018 season.

“I know that (Monster Energy) is working to try to sort out their issues with NASCAR and the entitlement sponsor, so there’s a lot of moving parts,” Busch said. “But I don’t feel any fear whatsoever. I actually feel really confident on the sponsorship that I bring.”