Last year at this time Kyle Busch watched with excitement as his own Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 54 Monster Energy team with driver and brother Kurt Busch, crossed the finish line in first place at the spring Richmond (Va.) International Raceway (RIR) event. It was the first victory for the younger Busch’s new Nationwide Series team and ultimately ended up being the only win they would secure all season. This time around Busch will tackle the Virginia short-track driving the same colors, but back as a Monster Energy athlete in the Nationwide Series with his NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner JGR. Busch sees it as his turn now, to notch another win in his belt at the ToyotaCare 250 – one that would register as his fifth career series win on this track.
Busch is no stranger to success on the .75-mile oval, recording eight total wins across the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. In NASCAR’s premiere Series Busch is the defending winner of this spring event and of all four early-season events between 2009 and 2012 at Richmond. Likewise in the Nationwide Series, Busch has posted four victories in the 2009 and 2004 spring events and the 2011 and 2007 fall events. Busch has led a total of 1,663 laps at RIR, boasting 4 poles, 21 top-five and 25 top-10 finishes.
Kyle Busch, Driver of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:
Another win for you and JGR in Texas, what do you expect under the lights again this week at Richmond?
“We definitely have a vibe going and I’d like to keep that up. Richmond is a good track for me, it’s challenging with the changing conditions and practice time in the day versus the race at night. But I know Adam (Stevens, crew chief) will have it dialed in. I like racing this track and knowing both Adam and I have had success here, I’m sure it will come together the way we want.”
Adam Stevens, Crew Chief of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:
Richmond is another strong track for Kyle, how will you prepare for this week’s night race?
“Richmond is a very difficult, but fun place to race. The track seems to change a lot through practice and the tires fall off quite a bit. This makes it difficult to make progress with the car during practice unless the driver knows exactly what he wants it to do. We also practice in the morning and race at night, which brings a whole other set of track conditions to deal with.
There are very few pit stops in the race, and long runs are common, so you don’t get many opportunities to work on it. When the dust settles it always seems like the top few cars are door-to-door at the finish line.
Kyle has an excellent track record here. We had a great weekend at Phoenix. We plan on taking what we learned there and applying it this weekend.”
Notes of Interest:
> Busch is the youngest pole winner at Richmond at 19 yrs., 0 mos., 12 days and holds the track qualifying record, 129.348mph on 5/14/04
> This season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Busch ranks first in laps led, 516 or 44.10% and in miles led, 620.148 or 39.76% across six races run
> At RIR Busch ranks fourth in the driver’s standing with the most green flag passes (348) and an average finish of 7.3
> Crew Chief Adam Stevens’ Richmond International Raceway statistics include four races, one win (2011), two top-five finishes, two top-10 finishes, zero poles and 212 laps led
> Kyle Busch has four wins in the No. 54 Monster Energy Camry this season, registering victories at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway, 3/2/13, Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, 3/17/13, Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., 3/23/13 and Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, 4/12/13
> Kyle Busch holds a 10-year streak from 2004 to 2013 of consecutive poles within the Nationwide Series, 28 career total
- All-time winningest driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with 55 victories
- Registered at least one win in eight consecutive seasons from 2004 to 2011
- 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Owner’s Champion Driver for JGR (a record 13-win season)
- 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver’s Championship and Owner’s Championship with JGR
- 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Owner’s Champion Driver for JGR
- 2004 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year
What are fans saying about Kyle on Social Media sites?
Twitter: @KyleBusch (321,400+ followers) & Facebook: Kyle Busch (133,776+ followers):
Mark Riickert The man can drive a rocket in a shoe box. He will be on the game there (Kansas) soon. (April 22)
Charles Sheldon I’m a Matt K fan but I like Kyle and I think he has more raw driving skills than any other driver in the sport…Good luck next weekend Kyle, I know you’re gonna rule at Richmond! (April 22)
Deborah Dowd The best news is that he didn’t get hurt, that was a hard hit and he will be right back this week! (April 22)
Sue Arruda Alves You are safe that’s all that matters! Don’t let it get you down Kyle! This is YOUR year …let’s get it back next weekend! (April 22)
Adele Lindstrom Kyle your fans stand behind you. We know to achieve greatness, there is a certain risk involved. We see you racing ALL OUT every weekend and that is what makes us proud to be fans of the #18!! We are looking forward to Richmond!! Go Rowdy & the #18 car!! (April 22)
Joyce Rogers You’re alright Kyle, sometimes things happen. Love my driver Kyle Busch! (April 22)
Gary Roberts One bad race doesn’t make a season, you’re NASCAR’s best and you are the next Champion. Go Kyle Busch Go! (April 22)
Kyle’s preferred Monster Energy drink flavor:
Original Monster Energy Green
Source: Kyle Busch Motorsports Press Release
The article Kyle Busch 2013 NNS ToyotaCare 250 Race Preview is from Catchfence.
Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2013/nationwide/04/23/kyle-busch-2013-nns-toyotacare-250-race-preview/
Cliff Griffith Georges Grignard Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard
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