KYLE BUSCH NOTES & QUOTES
CHASSIS 263 FOR BUSCH:
Kellogg’s Racing crew chief Alan Gustafson has chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 263 for Sunday’s NEXTEL Cup event at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 5 Kellogg’s Chevrolets, piloted the same car in the tour’s first stop at the .526-mile oval in April.
HENDRICK GOING FOR 13TH MARTINSVILLE WIN:
Hendrick Motorsports is one of just three teams with double-digit Cup wins at Martinsville. Rick Hendrick is credited with a dozen car-owner victories there, which ties him with Junior Johnson for second on the all-time list. Petty Enterprises is first with 19.
HENDRICK GETS 138TH CUP WIN:
Jimmie Johnson’s first-place performance Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway marked the 138th Cup-level victory for Rick Hendrick, who is now one win from tying legendary team owner Junior Johnson for second on the all-time list. Hendrick leads all owners in victories in NASCAR’s modern era (1972-present) and is third all-time (1949-present) behind Junior Johnson and first-place Petty Enterprises.
TESTING, TESTING:
Busch and his No. 5 Kellogg’s Racing team will test at Homestead, Fla., on Wednesday in preparation for the Nov. 20 NEXTEL Cup season finale. The team will also hold a two-day test Oct. 25-26 at the Texas Motor Speedway to warm up for the Nov. 6 event there.
SHORT-TRACK TRUCKIN’:
Busch will drive a Billy Ballew Motorsports No. 15 Chevy Silverado in Saturday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Martinsville Speedway. The 20-year-old is also scheduled to pilot the entry in four additional races this season: Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead.
BUSCH GOING HOME FOR SEMA/APEX:
Busch will visit his hometown of Las Vegas for the upcoming SEMA/APEX show. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, he will sign autographs at the Delphi booth from 10:30-11 a.m. local time and then at the Quaker State display from 12-2 p.m. On Wednesday, Nov. 2, Busch will make two more appearances at the Delphi area: 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m.
KYLE BUSCH, DRIVER OF THE NO. 5 KELLOGG’S CHEVROLETS: (ON MARTINSVILLE.)
“I don’t have much seat time at Martinsville because the Busch Series doesn’t run there. Our first Cup race there was tough because we overheated and didn’t finish. It can be a long, long day for a driver if your car isn’t handling properly. Running in the truck race on Saturday will be good for me, just to gain experience and learn how the track might change throughout a race.”
ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF OF THE NO. 5 KELLOGG’S CHEVROLETS: (ON MARTINSVILLE.)
“Martinsville is a tough track to get around. You have to save your brakes and race your race. It’s almost impossible to fit 43 cars around that track, so it’s easy to lose a lap to the leaders. The key will be a good qualifying position up front and to have a car good enough to stay there. You’ll see a lot of pit strategy, two- and four-tire stops, fuel only and guys staying out on the track for position. You never know what to expect at Martinsville.”
