Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch ( * August 4, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada) is an American NASCAR driver. He has the NASCAR Nextel Cup won in 2004 and drives a Dodge for Penske Racing since the 2006 season. Kurt Busch is the older brother of Kyle Busch.
Career
Busch began in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Southwest Tour with the 1998 Winter Heat Series at Tucson Raceway Park. Due to the ultimately fatal consequences of drive-by shootings against Chris Trickle, he received his car with the start number 70 of the team Star Nursery was established in 1999 and Master of the AutoZone Elite Division Southwest Series. In a subsequent test drive Busch was able to prevail and so got a place in the Craftsman Truck Series for Roush Racing.
On 24 September 2000, he rode his first race at the age of 21 Winston Cup ( Sprint Cup since 2008 ). In his first season he reached in seven races as the best result a 13th place. In an eighth race would have been his rookie season, according to NASCAR rules.
In 2001 he was with six placings in the top 10 and 35 of 36 driven race rookie of the year. A pole position in Darlington completed his first full season, which he finished at No. 27.
2002 and 2003 were followed out of four race wins and 20 respectively, 14 places in the top - 10, which in 2002 almost led to the championship, jumped at the end of third and eleven of the championship. 2004 Busch won indeed only three races, his 21 rankings in the top -10 but with only three failures led him to the title. In 2005 and 2006 he finished in tenth and 16, he in his sixth full season with six more Poles front starting places reached than in his career.
In the 2007 season, there was only enough for 18th place overall. In the years 2008 and 2009, however, Bush again managed to qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Controversies
2003 had Busch and Jimmy Spencer at Michigan International Speedway some disputes on the track, whereupon Spencer invaded Busch's race car and hit him on the nose. This was preceded obviously some insults from bush. The controversy affected his popularity significantly with the fans.
On 11 November 2005 Busch was stopped in Maricopa County for drunken driving and reckless driving. His team Roush Racing suspended him then of the last two races of the season. The charge of drunkenness turned out to be untenable months later, due to reckless driving, was sentenced to a bush less serious punishment.
On June 4, 2007 at the Nextel Cup race at Dover, Busch was driving after an accident on the track deliberately in the wrong box and slammed Tony Stewart. He almost hit a man in the pit crew, who has worked at Stewart's car. Shortly thereafter, on 8 June 2007, him 100 points were deducted, he also had to pay a $ 100,000 penalty. Busch was until December 31, 2007 under control. For further offense, he could be suspended for some races.
Special
- Busch is one of only 20 drivers who have ( Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series and Craftsman Truck Series ) each won in the three highest NASCAR racing series at least one race.
- On March 16, 2003 Busch was in the tightest finish in the history of NASCAR second. At the Darlington Raceway, he delivered two laps a close battle with Ricky Craven, who crossed 0.002 seconds ahead of him to the finish line. Both cars were wedged together.