Penske Racing confirmed Monday that they have "mutually agreed" to part ways with former Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch.
"I am grateful to Penske Racing for six very productive years," Busch said in a statement. "Together we won a lot of races-- 16 in all. 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 driver."
The news was broken by the Charlotte Observer late Sunday night.
This comes two weeks after Busch was fined $50,000 by NASCAR after video came out of his profanity laced tirade aimed at ESPN reporter Dr. Jerry Punch. It was the first of many such rants by Busch, who was heard throughout the season on his team radio raging at his pit crew.
A victim of many of Busch's tirades, crew chief Steve Addington announced after the season ended that he was leaving Penske Racing. Addington has since joined Stewart Haas Racing at Tony Stewart's new crew chief.
During Champion's Week in Las Vegas Busch, who finished 11th in points, admitted that he needed to be "a better person" and had started seeking the help of a sports psychologist. However, he did not seem concerned for his job.
"As the sponsor is concerned, yes, they're agitated about what happened at Homestead," Busch said. "But looking forward, we can find better things."
Shell/Pennzoil will remain the sponsor of the No. 22 Dodge. Busch's replacement was not named in the team's statement.
Several drivers, including Brian Vickers, David Ragan and David Reutimann lost their Sprint Cup rides at the end of this season and could fill Busch's seat.
Another candidate is Sam Hornish, Jr., who drove 13 Nationwide Series races this past season for Roger Penske, winning in Phoenix and scoring six top ten finishes. Hornish, Jr. previously drove for Penske in the Sprint Cup Series from 2008 until 2010. Penske has stated that he would like to see Hornish, Jr. back in the Cup Series, stating "that kid is a heck of a driver".
As for Busch, rides in the Cup Series for 2012 are few are far between, but the fact that he has a championship provisional could help him land a spot. Another could be NHRA, which Busch tried his hand at this past March.
"I'm considering all of my options. There's plenty of time to figure that all out," Busch told the Associated Press Monday.
Thanks to the Charlotte Observer, Penske Racing, ESPN, USA Today, NASCAR.com, Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Racing Reference for the information, quotes and statistics used in this piece.
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