Seeking Continued Growth with No. 54 Team

Due to a hectic race-weekend schedule that includes participation in the famed NASCAR All-Star race in Charlotte, N.C. Saturday night, Busch will practice the No. 54 Monster Energy Camry on Saturday morning but forego the afternoon qualifying session. Taking his place will be Nationwide Series driver Drew Herring, who will also practice the car and then conduct a qualifying effort in place of the Cup Champion. Busch will battle to repeat his 2010 win in the Sprint Cup Series’ annual May non-points race Saturday night, before returning to Iowa Speedway on Sunday in hopes of leading the No. 54 Nationwide Series team to Victory Lane for the second time this season.

Kurt Busch, Driver of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:

This will be a busy weekend for you – are you looking forward to the Iowa NNS event on Sunday?

“I had the opportunity in 2007 to participate in a COT test session at Iowa Speedway, which was a lot of fun. I know the side-by-side racing action will be competitive for the drivers and entertaining for the fans.

The All-Star schedule back in Charlotte won’t allow for me to qualify the No. 54 Monster Energy car but we have Drew Herring as a teammate this weekend and he’s going to take real good care of the car for me. He and I spent time in Darlington Saturday discussing the car setup and track conditions for next week. Between us, I know the Monster Energy ride will be ready for Iowa.”

Mike Beam, Crew Chief of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:

How do you feel this week going into Iowa Speedway?

“I look forward to Iowa. We are taking the same car and driver that we won with in Richmond. I also look forward to working with Drew Herring as our support driver. As I say every week, if we just limit our mistakes in the pits then we will have a good finish. I ran second here in both 2011 races, so hopefully we can improve on that.”

Drew Herring, Support Driver of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:

Tell us about your opportunity this weekend with KBM?

“I love racing on this track. It has some bumps you have to watch out for in turns 1 and 2, over the tunnel, but the way you can arc the car through the turns fits my driving style real well. I’ve had the opportunity to race here before, but to come this time in KBM equipment and to work with Kurt (Busch) — I’m really thankful for the opportunity to drive.”

Kurt Busch’s No. 54 Monster Energy Camry:

Chassis KBM-009: KBM will unload car #009, the team’s inaugural race-winning Camry from Richmond International Raceway, just three weeks ago. The driver then was also Kurt Busch, who led three times for 68 laps, including the final 29 which yielded him the victory.

The win for Kurt Busch at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) was the fourth of his career in the Nationwide Series. It also registered as the third time in his NNS career when Busch accomplished a victory from his first venue start, last completing the feat in 2006 at Texas Motor Speedway and 2011 at Watkins Glen International.

KBM