Kurt Busch

52

Kurt Busch : biography

August 4, 1978 –

Dover

After the 2012 5-hour Energy 200, Busch, who was already on probation following the above altercation with Newman at Darlington, was upset with Justin Allgaier after a close call during the race. After the race, Bob Pockrass, a reporter with the Sporting News, asked Busch if being on probation made an impact during the Nationwide Series race. Busch replied "It refrains me from not beating the shit out of you right now because you ask me stupid questions. But since I’m on probation, I suppose that’s improper to say as well.". On June 4, NASCAR suspended Busch for both the upcoming tire test and the Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway, and extended his probation though December 31, 2012. For this race, Busch’s car was driven by David Reutimann, who finished in 21st place on the lead lap.

Talladega

Busch’s #51 was parked on lap 99 by NASCAR after Busch drove away from track workers that were tending to his car, which had run out of gas and crashed on the back straightaway after being accidentally spun out by Jamie McMurray. He had been leading the race before the accident and soon the medical assistance arrived. Busch realized that his fuel tank was not completely empty and tried to drive it to the garage for repairs. As a medical bag was dragged with the car and slipped off NASCAR ordered Kurt to stop his car for the medical assistance but Busch ignored the order. His car ran out of gas just in turn 4 and NASCAR officials picked him up and parked the #51 team for the remainder of the race. Kurt Busch said goodbye to his team members since he was to drive the #78 car for a multi-year deal after the race and when asked about the incident, Busch said that he ignored the order because he did not have his helmet on and could not hear his crew chief’s order to stop. NASCAR investigation that week proved that this appeal was true and therefore they did not penalize Busch any further after the parking.

2013

Richmond

On the final restart of the Toyota Owners 400, Busch and Tony Stewart had another altercation. Busch had previously led 36 laps of the race and was in contention to win. Stewart because of slight contact lost 17 spots and Busch finished in 9th place behind race winner Kevin Harvick. When the race was over, seconds after the checkers flew, Stewart bumped Busch, who also bumped Matt Kenseth. Their shoving match using their cars caused Busch’s to be damaged. Both were summoned to the NASCAR hauler. During the post-race ceremonies, the fans noticed Busch and Stewart arguing near the NASCAR hauler. When interviewed Busch said he did not intentionally hit Stewart but was trying to cleanly race him to the finish. Stewart disagreed with this because the two drivers had had several prior incidents in 2007 and 2008 in similar fashion.

Kentucky

Busch briefly ran into controversy at the Quaker State 400 when he came down the track onto the apron on lap 48, came up and clipped Brad Keselowski from behind, causing Keselowski to spin across the track into turn 1 and take several more cars with him. Several people, including the TNT commentators, called Busch for using the apron, which though is legal at the speedway for position advancement. Busch apologized over his team radio during the red flag that resulted. Busch finished in sixth place.

Feuds with rival drivers

In the February 2006 edition of GQ Magazine, he was selected number three on their list of the top ten most hated athletes, behind Barry Bonds and Terrell Owens.Gargill, David & Penn, Nate (2006). . men.style.com. URL Retrieved July 12, 2006.

Aside from Jimmy Spencer, Busch has had notable run-ins with Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Robby Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Tony Stewart and even with younger brother Kyle, for whom he raced for in the Nationwide Series in 2012. On June 4, 2007 in the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway, after a tangle with Tony Stewart on lap 264, he drove beside Stewart’s car on pit road, and gestured through his window netting causing a pit crew member to jump over Stewart’s hood to avoid being hit. Busch was parked for the rest of the race, penalized 100 championship points, fined $100,000, and placed on probation until the end of the year.