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.
KBM
- Talladega Superspeedway Weekend Schedule - April 14, 2024
- Odd Tony Stewart Talladega Post Race Q&A - May 7, 2012
- Team Chevy Post Talladega Race Rundown - May 7, 2012