Kyle Busch Source: Sam Greenwood / Getty Images North America)
Kyle Busch enters this week’s Dollar General 200 fueled by AmeriGas NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) event with a solid performance record at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway (PIR). Busch’s statistics show seven wins and six poles across all three of NASCAR’s premiere series.
At PIR in the Nationwide Series, Busch is the track’s youngest pole winner in 2004, at the age of 19 years, six months and four days and holds the record for all-time performer in pole wins, with four. The Las Vegas, Nev. native also maintains the track’s Nationwide Series qualifying record set in 2011 at
134.298 mph. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran is tied with fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competitor Carl Edwards for the track’s all-time wins, four in 14 race starts.
Also in Busch’s arsenal this year is winning crew chief Adam Stevens, who was standing in victory lane at PIR last November with Joey Logano for the track’s most recent Nationwide Series event. Expectations are high that both driver and crew chief records will be improved this year, this time doing it together.
Kyle Busch, Driver of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:
What will a track like Phoenix tell you about the No. 54 team and the progress they are making for the season?
“It’s a good gauge, a good race, but it’s also too soon. It will be too early to tell us where we stand on the whole. Next we’ll go to Vegas (Nev.) for the mile-and-a-half track, back to Bristol for a short track and then back to California for a two-mile race. There are still races to win and someone has to take home a trophy, but from California on is where your momentum is going to take place.”
How do you like the track since the repave?
“It’s a fun race track, but also treacherous. The old track was fun, you could slide around and manhandle it like Atlanta. The new track has more grip at the start, but once that goes away then you have little area to maneuver. I think there will be growing pains on this surface the next couple of seasons until the asphalt has aged a bit more.”
Adam Stevens, Crew Chief of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:
What are your thoughts now having run your first race weekend with Kyle Busch as your driver?
“Kyle and I had a decent first weekend together. We had a fast car and led a lot of laps. We didn’t get the finish we were looking for but from a big picture standpoint it was a valuable weekend because we learned a little bit about each other. Drivers and crew chiefs succeed or fail in this business based on how effectively they can communicate. Daytona was not a test in that regard being a restrictor plate race with limited practice time, but it was a good first step. Phoenix will test us though.”
Having won this event last fall, what are your keys to success here in Phoenix?
“Phoenix is a unique place. Since the repave it has been all about track position. The surface is unforgiving in that there is a large discrepancy in grip between the area of the track that is rubbered up and the area of the track that is not. If you get out of the rubbered up groove you will instantly loose grip. Each race this has become a little better. Even as each race weekend goes, the groove slowly gets wider. You have to be careful early in practice not to push too hard and make a mistake.”
What are fans saying about Kyle on Social Media sites?
Notes of Interest:
- Loop Data Statistics over the past 16 races at PIR, record Busch first in: Most Green Flag Passes (362), Most Quality Passes (251), Most Laps Led (642) and Highest Percentage of Laps Led (24.5%).
- Crew Chief Adam Stevens’ Phoenix statistics include four races, 1win (2012 fall race, Joey Logano), one top-five finish, four top-10 finishes, one pole and 168 laps led.
Facebook: Kyle Busch (125,344+ followers)
Mark Cheek Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart are both class acts in my book, way to go Kyle. (2-24-13)
Tenshin Kusanagi Our prayers to all affected…Kyle thank you for your concern for them. (2-24-13)
Cynthia S. Neal I’m counting on you; know YOU can do IT! SHOW them!! (2-23-13)
Stephen Darby Krause From Charlotte, NC…Good Luck Kyle! (2-23-13)
Renee Adkins Let’s do this! (2-19-13)
Twitter: @KyleBusch (314,100+ followers)
@TylerBunn18 Ready for Kyle Busch to win this weekend at Phoenix! (2-25-13)
@Jeff_Gluck To his credit, Kyle Busch just came out and answered all the questions. (2-24-13)
@AmericanMatt5 Kyle Busch out of the Daytona 500?? Well now the finish will be boring. (2-24-13)
@1BADGTS Time to get Rowdy! (2-23-13)
Kyle’s preferred Monster Energy drink flavor:
Original Monster Energy Green
About Monster Beverage Corporation:
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy refuses to acknowledge the traditional and the disingenuous. Monster always supports the scene and the sport. Whether it be motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MotoGP, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians symbolize. Much more than a drink, it’s a way of life lived by our athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Beverage Corporation – including all of its drinks – at www.monsterenergy.com and Facebook.com/MonsterEnergy.
Source: Kyle Busch Motorsports Press Release
The article Kyle Busch 2013 NNS Dollar General 200 Race Preview is from Catchfence.
Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2013/nationwide/02/26/kyle-busch-2013-nns-dollar-general-200-race-preview/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kyle-busch-2013-nns-dollar-general-200-race-preview
Toyota Kimmy Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota
Recognizing I’m being completely subjective, I’ve got to say I like this commercial. One reason is because I think the actors look like a real family, not four mismatched souls from central casting. The little nuances are totally believable, too, like the older girl’s “Did he really pull it off?” expression and the way the younger girl clings to her mother while Daddy tries his questionable maneuver. Credit that to great directing. The wardrobe is realistic, as well; no major fashion statements here, just real people wearing real clothes. And although this is one of those rare commercials that communicate its message even with the sound muted, there’s no question that Bobby Day’s “Beep Beep Beep” makes a worthy contribution. The lyrics are relevant to the action and the upbeat, clearly dated arrangement (it was recorded in the 1950s) imparts a feeling of innocent-seeming times, when Father supposedly knew best.
Adam Carroll will join McLaren’s factory GT line-up for the 2013 season.
Lewis Hamilton went fastest for Mercedes on a rain-hit final day of winter testing at Barcelona.
Last year’s Nissan DeltaWing project proved crucial in the Japanese manufacturer’s decision to return to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014 with an 
Felipe Massa sees the final Barcelona Formula 1 test this week as a crucial moment for Ferrari as it looks set to go right down to the wire with its definitive Melbourne car package.
Ferrari engine chief Luca Marmorini admitted during the last test that the team was cutting it fine with a potential new exhaust package.
Paddy Lowe will move to Mercedes after his current contract with McLaren comes to an end later this year.
Andrea Dovizioso believes Ducati’s deficit to the MotoGP frontrunners has been brought back to ‘acceptable’ levels following improvements at the second Sepang winter test.
“I used just one set of tyres, so all things considered, the gap to the top is acceptable.”
