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[/media-credit]MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 1, 2012) – Coming off an exciting week of racing, which included his first win as a NASCAR Nationwide Series team owner and his first win of the 2012 season as a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Kyle Busch is anxious to carry the high momentum into this weekend’s Aaron’s 312 Nationwide Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Speedway. Making his sixth start in the self-owned No. 54 Kyle Busch Motorsports entry, Busch is the defending race winner at the 2.66-mile tri-oval and has victories there in each of NASCAR’s top-three series over the past four years. Most recently, he completed a victory there one year ago, this same race weekend and series, as well as in the Truck Series in 2010 and 2009 and in the Sprint Cup Series in 2008.
Talladega Superspeedway is a difficult track to race on from the driver’s perspective. Often, teams anticipate being caught up in what is commonly referred to as, “the big one.” In this case, the radio communication between spotter and driver is very strategic. Working with another competitor on-track as a tandem partner is necessary in order to have the fastest lap times and to maneuver through the field for position. At the beginning of the 2012 race season, Kyle and Kurt Busch both had the opportunity to draft together on a similar track to this weekend’s race, Daytona International Speedway. The Busch brothers were able to push and pull each other successfully throughout the event, placing themselves in contention for a victory until a late-race accident stole their chance for a win and left both cars unable to complete the full season opener.
Last week at Richmond International Raceway, the Busch brothers worked together but in different positions – Kyle as owner and Kurt as driver. The two paired up as family, and as teammates, to guide the No. 54 Monster Energy program to its first victory in the Nationwide Series. For the second time this season, Kurt Busch will pilot the No. 1 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series but as a competitor to the KBM team he so happily accomplished a victory with last weekend.
This week we are likely to see the pair together again, this time returning as drafting partners on the race track. The younger brother Busch looks to continue the positive ‘Energy’ that elder Busch started last week and continue the winning streak. Despite holding the Series records for most wins (51) and most poles (23), it has been 14 races since Kyle Busch last saw victory lane in the Nationwide Series.
Kyle Busch, Driver of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:
You must have had an exciting week considering the two wins, one as an owner in the Nationwide Series and one as a Cup Series driver – how do you bottle that momentum and turn to Talladega?
“I’ve been out of the No. 54 car for a few weeks now and have watched my brother have success with our team, so now it’s my turn. What we accomplished last week was good for the program. For our crew members and for us as a group moving forward, knowing that we still have to work hard and develop what we hope becomes a consistency for winning in the Monster Energy Camry.”
Mike Beam, Crew Chief of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:
Another new car this weekend and back to a superspeedway, but with a win under your belt – how do you feel this week going into Talladega?
“It is a new car again this weekend, and we are coming off a great win last week, so everyone is feeling good. We remember though that we still have to work hard and limit our mistakes. At Talladega, we have to be prepared for anything to happen and hopefully we can contend for a win. A lot of work has gone into this car and I’m proud of the employees of KBM. Every week we bring a great car and I’m excited to have Kyle back for Talladega, and to do our best performance. At the end of the day that is all that I ask of this team.”
Kyle Busch’s No. 54 Monster Energy Camry:
Chassis KBM-010:KBM will unload another new chassis built by the company to race for the first time in Saturday’s Talladega event. The backup machine for this weekend’s No. 54 team is one that was on stand-by as the second team car in Daytona earlier this season, Chassis, KBM-004.
What are fans saying about Kyle and Kurt on Social Media sites?
Facebook:Kyle Busch (109,023+ followers)
Loretta Alexander Love the wins!!!!!
kathie95634 What a great race!!! Go Kyle, go Kurt, GO KBM!!
Trish Riddle LOVE THAT KYLE BUSCH AND ALL HIS ROWDINESS!!!
Jay Higgins Great weekend for Kyle at Richmond, wins nationwide as owner and cup race as driver, hope the other drivers like M&M’s because that’s what they’ll be looking at the rest of the season.
Twitter: @KyleBusch (176,400+ followers)
@tjlavin Congrats @KyleBusch always good to see boys from #Vegas gettin it done! Nice work…..
@jmnpb the greatest driver in the history of motor sports is alive and well: Kyle Busch. @TKnoles10
Kyle’s preferred Monster Energy drink flavor: Original Green
