DENVER, Colo. (April 25, 2013) – When it comes to Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, site of Saturday night’s Sprint Cup Series race, Kurt Busch has mixed feelings about the historic short track.
“It’s not a question of disliking Richmond because I like racing there,” stated Busch, driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row/Sealy Chevrolet SS. “It’s a great facility which produces outstanding racing.
“But for some reason I have had too many things go wrong there. Whether it was a pit stop debacle, an ignition problem or running out of gas. I always joke around that I threw away Richmond wins more times than I won Bristol because of different things happening.”
For the record, Busch has won Bristol five times. His lone Richmond Sprint Cup win came in the 2005 fall race. He also won last year’s Nationwide Series race at Richmond.
Busch’s career record in 24 career starts at the .75-mile oval includes one win, four top-fives, seven top-10s and 348 laps led.
“Each year I go to Richmond I feel my luck can turn around even though Richmond has been tough on me for having things happen in a race,” noted Busch, the 2004 Sprint Cup champion.
To get a better handle on the short track with the Generation-6 race car, Busch and the Denver, Colo.-based Furniture Row Racing team spent two days testing in Richmond a few weeks ago.
“We did a full two-day test at Richmond and put in a lot of effort to try to get better at this short track,” explained Busch. “We were pleased with the test. Hopefully this will be a smooth race for our Furniture Row/Sealy Chevrolet SS.”
Busch would definitely welcome a smooth race in the Toyota Owners 400. After posting consecutive top-five finishes at Bristol (4th) and California (5th), the Las Vegas native has had his share of bad luck.
“The last three races have been anything but smooth,” said Busch. “We showed potential in each race but couldn’t close the deal because of mechanical and other issues.”
Furniture Row Racing Road Crew, 2013
No. 78 Over-the-Wall Crew
Front-tire changer
Anthony O’Brien, Cambridge, Minn.
Front-tire carrier
Mike Houston, Concord, N.C.
Rear-tire changer
Kenyatta Houston, Bronx, N.Y.
Rear-tire carrier
Arthur Simmons, Newark, Mo.
Jackman
Andrew Turner, Coloma, Mich.
Gasman
Andy Rueger, Seymour, Ind.
2nd Gasman
Ryan Bergenty, Plainville, Conn.
No. 78 Road Crew
General Manager
Joe Garone, Denver, Colo.
Crew Chief
Todd Berrier, Kernersville, N.C.
Executive Competition Director
Mark McArdle, La Crosse, Wis.
Competition Director
Pete Rondeau, Saco, Maine
Car Chief
Robert Huffman, Hickory, N.C.
Engineers
Cole Pearn, London, Ontario
Matt Faulkner, Memphis, Tenn.
Spotters
Rick Carelli, Arvada, Colo.
Clayton Hughes, Thomasville, N.C.
Engine Specialist
Scott Meesters, Hanford, Calif.
Engine Builder
Earnhardt-Childress Racing
Shock Specialist
Nick Kerlin, Old Fort, Ohio
Tire Specialist
Chad Krauch, Loveland, Colo.
Technical Support
Michael McCullough, Imperial, Calif.
Mechanics
Ryan Bergenty, Plainville, Conn.
Gary Frost, Romeo, Mich.
Transportation
Henry Benfield (also gas runner) Statesville, N.C.
Jason Churgin, San Fernando Valley, Calif.
Jim Gilbert, Belleville, IL.
Dave Hicks, Montcalm, WVa.
Chuck Lemay, DeKalb, IL
