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By
Ruth Wright
Staff Writer
SPARTA, Ky. (May 17) – Kyle Busch hasn’t
exactly had a typical teenage existence.
Busch, 18, didn’t make it to his senior
prom last year, and he wasn’t able
to accompany his girlfriend to her prom
this year.
Instead of donning a black tie, Busch was
putting on a helmet. And instead of hanging
out with friends, “Everyday after school
it would just be going home and working
on a race car for the next weekend,”
Busch said.
That, or studying. Busch graduated a year
early with honors from Durango High School
in his hometown of Las Vegas, Nev.
Busch’s dedication and maturity has
paid off. Fielded by Hendrick Motorsports,
the young driver is running in a limited
of number of ARCA RE/MAX Series and NASCAR
Busch Series races this year. He will participate
in the Busch Series full time in 2004.
Busch’s name probably sounds familiar
to many Winston Cup fans. That’s because
his older brother, Kurt Busch, has been
winning his way to the top of the ranks
of the series over the past two seasons.
Already this year, he has captured two Winston
Cup victories for the Roush Racing team.
But that’s Kurt. Kyle claims his own
right to fame, especially after outdueling
ARCA four-time season champion Frank Kimmel
for the May 10 victory in the “Channel
5-205” race at the Kentucky Speedway.
It was the younger Busch’s second ARCA
title this season, both coming at the expense
of reigning champ Kimmel.
Kyle Busch entered the NASCAR scene when
he was just 16, competing in six NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series races with Roush
Racing before NASCAR officials abruptly
mandated an age minimum of 18 to compete
in any of their sanctioned series. Busch,
who had gotten off to an impressive start
with two top-10 finishes in the series,
was upset by the policy change.
When asked why he thought the change was
made, he said, “I know what it was
about. It was about a tobacco issue,”
referencing age in relation to the advertising
of tobacco products.
But rather than bemoan circumstances beyond
his control, Busch decided instead to try
a different route. “It was very devastating
when it happened, but we’ve gone on
from that,” he said.
Going on, in 2002 Busch joined the American
Speed Association (ASA) Series. He finished
eighth in point standings for the year with
five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in
20 starts. He also ran in one Automobile
Racing Club of America (ARCA) RE/MAX Series
race, finishing 12th in the EasyCare Vehicle
Service 100 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway
in Charlotte, N.C.
Although Busch didn’t turn 18 until
May 2, 2003, his winning reputation had
already made him a hot commodity. Roush
Racing, with whom he had previously raced,
made an offer. But despite temptation, Busch
declined.
“They wanted me for nine years, and
I didn’t feel I could commit to that.”
Instead, in February 2003 Busch joined Hendrick
Motorsports, which fields No. 1 contender
and Winston Cup superstar Jeff Gordon. Busch
plans to race in seven ARCA events and six
NASCAR Busch Series events with Hendrick
this season.
“Everything’s been going exceptionally
well,” Busch said of his experience
with the Hendrick Motorsports team.
Driving the No. 87 ditech.com Chevrolet
in ARCA, he has already won two of the seven
races in which he is scheduled to compete.
Prior to the May 10 victory in Sparta, Ky.,
on April 11, Busch nabbed the pole and set
a track record at Nashville Superspeedway
before winning the PFG Lester 150.
Busch was scheduled to debut in the NASCAR
Busch Series on May 24 in the Carquest Auto
Parts 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway
in Charlotte, N.C., driving Joe Nemechek’s
NEMCO Motorsports No. 87 Chevrolet.
If Busch’s success continues, he may
one day go head to head against brother,
Kurt, in a Winston Cup Series race. Until
then, he’s not too proud to ask his
older sibling for a few tips now and then.
“If I go to a race track he’s
already run at, he can give me pointers,”
Busch said.
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