TEXAS THREE-STEP: Kyle Busch will compete in all three NASCAR-sanctioned events at Texas Motor Speedway. If Busch completes all 681 scheduled laps this weekend, he will have run 1,021 miles.
ATLANTA IMPROVEMENT: Prior to last weekend, Busch had only led four circuits around Atlanta Motor Speedway and his best finish to date was 12th. Despite a 20th-place finish on Sunday, Busch led 77 laps around AMS and was in contention to win until an accident brought out a caution on lap 321. He spent 314 of the 329 laps in the top 15 and had an average running position of fourth. Busch also scored the fourth-best driver rating, scoring 111.5 out of a possible 150.
CAR SELECTION FOR TEXAS: Crew chief Alan Gustafson has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 307 as the primary Monte Carlo SS for this weekend’s NEXTEL Cup race at Texas. It is the same chassis Busch powered to a second-place finish at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., three weeks ago, and it also finished third at California Speedway in September.
JUST FOR FUN: In addition to racing in the NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series, Busch will also race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Billy Ballew Motorsports this weekend at Texas. Busch’s record at TMS is impressive in the truck series as he has a second and third place finish to his name. Busch will also enter truck events at Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
MEET KYLE: Kyle Busch will greet fans and sign autographs at 11 a. m. local time on Sunday at the No. 5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST souvenir hauler outside Texas Motor Speedway.
KYLE BUSCH, DRIVER OF THE NO. 5 CARQUEST/KELLOGG’S MONTE CARLO SS: (ON DISAPPOINTMENT IN ATLANTA. ) “Last weekend was a heartbreaker and I really feel bad about the end of the race. We had a car to win in Atlanta, finally, and it just didn’t happen. It was tough. I’d like to get one more win this year in the No. 5 Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports and this team, so we’re going to be trying extra hard in Texas, Phoenix and Homestead. “
BUSCH: (ON TEXAS. ) “It’s a track where I’ve struggled in the past. In 2004, I wrecked pretty bad while practicing the No. 84 Chevy. I actually hurt my knee a little, so part of the battle I’ve fought with Texas was from a mental standpoint. This No. 5 team seems to excel on the mile and a half tracks and we’re bringing a really good car, so hopefully this will be the turning point of my bad experiences at Texas. “
ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF OF THE NO. 5 CARQUEST/KELLOGG’S MONTE CARLO SS: (ON HIS GOALS WITH THREE RACES TO GO. ) “I don’t know that it’s realistic to say I think we can still win this championship, but with three races left I’m not so sure. The positive thing is that we ran extremely well last week in Atlanta, and we ran very well last spring in Texas, so our chances of a good finish this weekend are great. In the past, we have run well at Phoenix and Homestead, but don’t have the finishes to show it. So it would be great to end this season on a winning note and make our way up to third in the standings. I’d love to give Mr. (Rick) Hendrick a one-two-three finish in the championship. ”
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