Kurt Busch: From Suspension To Redemption In One Week’s Time
Kurt Busch: From Suspension To Redemption In One Week’s Time – By: Pete MacDonald
Exactly seven days ago from right now, Kurt Busch was still on an indefinite suspension by NASCAR and in their “road to recovery” program, due to the allegations of domestic abuse towards his now ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll.
Kurt would be reinstated for competition last Wednesday, but is on probation for the remainder of the season and will continue to participate in a treatment program where full compliance with any judicial requirements that are placed upon him. For the first time since joining Stewart-Haas Racing, Busch’s nickname “The Outlaw” would be replaced by his signature over the door in an attempt to drop any connection to his former persona.
During Friday afternoon practice, Busch came out swinging going to the top of the charts becoming the fastest car in the second practice session, and ended up eighth once all was said and done in qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway.
Fast Forward to Sunday. I picked Kurt to win based on how consistent his car was all weekend and having the exact setup in his car as eventual winner Kevin Harvick who led 224 of 312 laps on Sunday. Kurt would run as high as second until a late race caution when Crew Chief Tony Gibson knew that the only way they were going to beat Kevin Harvick was if they came in for fresh tires relegating back to tenth. The 41 team would end up coming home fifth.
When asked what it meant to him to run up front right out of the box Busch replied, “It means I’ve got a strong team, it’s a quality car, I can’t thank them enough, the way we raced today was with heart.”
Busch was granted a waiver by NASCAR so that Busch is eligible to compete for the Chase for the Sprint Cup later on in the season if he was able to score a win and enter the Top-30 in points. “We’re not worried about points. Gene Haas has me under contract to win races,” said Busch, who is only seventeen points out of the Top-30 after just one race.
“When I was first got suspended I called Gene (Haas) and asked will the car be there when I get back? ‘It’s your seat. When you get back, it’s yours.’ The way that you can look at it is we’ve already used our DNF’s. Whether we take a risk or not, it’s my job to go for those wins. Gene Haas would rather have the car loaded up on the flatbed going for a win instead of just cruising around there trying to finish 12th,” said Busch.
I think it’s pretty safe to say that the old Kurt Busch is back as long as he checks his demons at the door each and every week. I feel bad for Kurt Busch. I really do. I’ve gotten to spend a lot more time with him the last couple years than a lot of people get to. He’s really not all that bad of a person as long as you treat him as a human being . And I really feel bad for the media circus he’s been put through the last couple months.
