Kurt Seeks To Bring Busch Winning Ways Back To Bristol

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Based on his five wins at Bristol Motor Speedway, one would assume that the track is a favorite for Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge). It is in fact his “absolute favorite” track and one at which he always looks forward to racing.

The fact that Busch is off to his best start in his nine-year NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career has only added to his excitement to return to the .533-mile oval, dubbed “The World’s Fastest Half Mile.”

“I’m probably looking forward to this trip back to Bristol as much as any of my career,” Busch said. “I could even say that I’m anticipating this Bristol race weekend more than any visit I’ve ever made to the track.”
Strong statement from Busch. Not as strong as his statement two weeks ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway, when he dominated the field in a fashion unseen from the 2004 series champion since Pocono in August 2007. Busch led 234 of the race’s 330 laps, or 70 more laps than he led in all of 2008, had an Average Running Position of 1.5 and ran in the top 15 on every lap. At Pocono, Busch led 175 of 200 laps, had an Average Running Position of 1.4 and ran in the top 15 on every lap. Appropriately enough, Busch earned a perfect Driver Rating of 150.0 in both events.

“Coming off the big win two Sundays ago at Atlanta, the off weekend only added to the energy and oomph we’re bringing (to Bristol),” Busch said. “We have the momentum growing and the excitement building within and around our team.”

Despite having five Bristol wins, Busch hasn’t won at the track since March 2006, his fifth start with Penske Racing. It was a bit of déjà-vu for team owner Roger Penske who saw Rusty Wallace pilot the No. 2 Dodge to Victory Lane seven times at Bristol.

“Kurt Busch obviously found what he needed also and got that same feel and accomplished that same thing that I was able to do,” Wallace said. “It makes me feel really good that he was able to pick up on it.”
Busch, in fact, picked up on it immediately, grabbing his first Bristol win in just his third trip to the track. He plans to add win number six this weekend.

“We feel that the timing is right this weekend to come back in there and add to our success,” Busch said.