(WOMR file photo)
Stewart-Haas Racing will be having a press conference today that will announce the arrival of former Sprint Cup champion, Kurt Busch, as a new driver for that organization, expanding it to four race teams in 2014.
Kurt Busch will be sponsored by Haas Automation while driving for Stewart-Haas Racing during the 2014 season. Gene Haas, who co-owns SHR with Tony Stewart, told ESPN.com on Saturday he wants the 2004 Sprint Cup champion in one of his cars, because he wants to take his non-racing company’s name to Victory Lane.
“I’d be happy to have a driver like that on our team,” Haas said before the Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. “You’d win a lot of races. I’d really be happy for my company Haas to be in the winner’s circle. I’ve never been there. I want to be there with that name. I know Kurt has had a lot of sponsorship issues, but to me, I just want to win. I’m not too much worried about that stuff.” Haas and the Furniture Row Racing driver began talking about the possibility of him coming to SHR last month during a General Motors dinner in Indianapolis. Not long after that, SHR offered Busch a contract to expand the organization to four teams with Stewart, Kevin Harvick, and Danica Patrick.
The garage rumors are that Kurt Busch has signed a multiyear contract to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing beginning with the 2014 season, Busch told ESPN on Monday morning. “I’m going to Stewart-Haas,” Busch said. “I’ve signed my deal.” The SHR organization has said it will hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon “to announce the future expansion of Stewart-Haas Racing.” Busch received the offer to drive for Stewart-Haas a week ago and then received a subsequent offer from his current team, Furniture Row Racing, last week. He will be the fourth driver in the SHR stable, joining team owner #14-Tony Stewart, #4-Kevin Harvick and #10-Danica Patrick. Busch said Monday that he appreciates greatly the opportunity afforded him at FRR. Asked whether he can maintain focus and help get the #78 team into the Chase, he said, “Come Wednesday, that’s all I’m going to think about.”(ESPN)
An official announcement with team co-owner Gene Haas, and the man behind this decision, is set for 2:00 pm/et Tuesday at SHR headquarters in Kannapolis, NC.
Sources say SHR is attempting to obtain the #00 for Busch to use beginning next season in the Sprint Cup Series.
So sports fans, it appears that the persona no gratis, KuBu, following his numerous meltdowns in the last few years, has resurrected his once dying racing career! All this Kurt Busch hype comes just a couple of weeks after SHR told Ryan Newman that there “was no room at the inn for Newman”!
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
