DENVER, Colo. (May 6, 2013) – “The memory is vivid and the outcome is unfortunately the same,” said Kurt Busch, 10 years after his historic loss to former NASCAR stalwart Ricky Craven at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, site of Saturday night’s Southern 500.
Craven’s margin of victory over Busch at the 2003 Darlington spring race was by two-thousandths of a second, the closest margin since the inception of electronic timing and scoring in1993.
With the 10-year anniversary of the classic Sprint Cup race approaching, Busch has been asked many times to describe the fender-to-fender, paint-peeling finish at the daunting 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval.
“I feel like each time I tell the story I am getting closer to winning it,” stated Busch. “Two drivers putting it on the line and not wrecking each other. We gave it our all. Coming off turn four and being neck-and-neck with Craven was wild, crazy and fun – I loved every second of it. It’s a memory that will last forever.”
Busch, who drives the No. 78 Furniture Row/Serta Chevrolet SS doesn’t take losing lightly. But when recalling the classic Darlington finish, the pain of losing is easily bridged to a positive feel for the 2004 NASCAR champion.
“We put on a battle for those last five to 10 laps and it was an epic feeling when we were doing it,” said Busch. “No matter if we won or lost it was a show that will last in the fans’ mind for a lifetime.”
At that 2003 Darlington race, which took place on March 16, Busch was driving the No. 97 Ford for Roush Racing while Craven was driving the No. 32 Pontiac for PPI Motorsports.
“Ricky and I are good friends and we have a lot of fun reminiscing about that race,” said Busch.
After seeing a win slip away at Darlington, Busch wants nothing more than to claim a victory at one of the crown jewel races on the Sprint Cup circuit.
“It’s the Southern 500, one of the most prestigious races on the NASCAR schedule,” explained Busch. “It’s a grueling track and a tough 500 miles. You have to dance with “The Lady in Black” all day and she’ll wear you out if you’re not careful.”
Busch added more thoughts about the Darlington track, “Each year the asphalt gets a little older and the track seems to age faster than most. It can chew up the tires really bad. You have to carry your speed off turn two, which is the fastest end of the track. But turn four – if you’re good in turn four then those are the guys usually hoisting the trophy at the end of the day.”
Furniture Row Military Appreciation Night
The Darlington event will be the final race that the hood and rear quarter panels on Kurt Busch’s Furniture Row Chevrolet SS will carry the announcement about Military Appreciation Night at all 330 Furniture Row Stores on Friday May 17, the eve of Armed Forces Day. Military Appreciation Night celebrations are for all active duty, former, and retired military, as well as reservist and members of the National Guard and their families.
The Military Appreciation Night on Friday May 17 will be held from 3 – 9 p.m. inside all of Furniture Row’s specialty stores – Denver Mattress, Sofa Mart, Oak Express and Bedroom Expressions. The evening activities will include multiple drawings for Apple iPads and a 60-inch Samsung 180p Plasma HDTV along with free gifts and refreshments. Every item in the stores will be specially priced for this one evening.
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
