Chat Transcript: Kurt Busch

Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Kurt Busch!

Hey fans! Thanks for being patient. I am sorry I am a bit late, but I am looking forward to answering your questions today!

Question from: [radish] Kurt, congratulations! You've said these past two years in the Cup racing division is the longest you've spent in one division. Have you found a home in Cup racing?

It feels great to know that I have made it at this elite level, and of course with the support of Roush Racing and Rubbermaid behind me, it will be that much more comfortable to make a home here.

Question from: [Flamin24] Hi Kurt, congrats on the win! Since you won on the fastest track, do you feel NASCAR should remove restrictor plates on the other big track?

You are referring to Talladega and Daytona, and those two are a mile longer in length, and then you would be at 240 mph unrestricted, and that is getting towards the unsafe barrier. The rules create a comfortable racing environment where you have to utilize the draft, fuel strategy, and of course at Daytona, the setup is more important, but you need that to get into Victory Lane. Don't get me wrong, throttle all the time is a lot of fun!

Question from: [kbuschfuturelegend] I would like to know your opinion of the vast amount of resources at your disposal with Roush, not only in terms of equipment and technology, but also in knowledge and experience on the tracks coming from the great Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth. Does it seem overwhelming or motivate you?

It is a perfect opportunity for a driver that is inexperienced to gain knowledge from these guys. They are all willing to lend a hand, and you go to each one of them for their individual expertise. There is so much depth here, so you don't just go to one guy for information. You never have to go to two guys for separate things. You always get a straight answer from the first person.

	Credit: Autostock

Question from: [light] Hey Kurt, I am just wondering since I haven't heard anything about you or your sponsor leaving, how long are you and your sponsor signed for?

I have a wonderful opportunity at Roush Racing for 5+ more years, and our sponsor with Rubbermaid is signed up through next season, and we are in negotiations about another 3-year deal. The on-track performances have really excited the Rubbermaid and Roush people, and as good as things are going now, there would be no reason to change anything.

Question from: [Dale4ever] I would like to know how Kurt likes his new sponsor with Lil Tykes. When they unveiled it I LOVED that paint scheme.

That is a great question because they are part of Newell Rubbermaid. It is great to see the involvement within the company. They have over 32 different companies and only a handful are involved with the team. It creates an environment around children, which is really great. You can all go to the new Rubbermaid Web site to get more information on the company. www.newellrubbermaid.com

Question from: [myshnook22] Kurt, I remember seeing that you were part of the Roush softball team this summer. Were you able to make many games? Are you a better fielder or hitter?

It is always great to be involved with the team outside the racetrack. It is fun to hang out with my second family, and baseball has been my second love next to racing. It was great that I could go to 12 of the 18 games, and I would have to say that my singles did add a few RBIs from time to time, but I enjoy the defensive side. I played second and left, but mainly out in center field.

Question from: [Go18car Kurt], what do you think about next year's Bud Shootout being run under the lights at Daytona?

I love new twists that NASCAR throws in for us. Running under the lights at Atlanta was twice as exciting. I would like to do that at more tracks, like Las Vegas or Atlanta more often, or even Texas. The Charlotte October race will be under the lights, and now if we could get NASCAR to do it Martinsville, that would be the best. Racing at night just seems to elevate the excitement.

	Credit: Autostock

Question from: [2lapsdown] Did you have to think twice on which direction to turn for a kiss in victory lane this weekend? Miss Winston to your left and your girlfriend to the right. LOL

HAHA. Of course both of them are very beautiful woman, and Melissa has been there with me for the past 5 years for all our successes and bumps. Of course I will turn to my right! Haha.

Question from: [the43fan] I heard you were backing up the ISA. What is this new series about?

ISA is a series being developed in Canada, but it is an ASA car, where my little brother raced this year. I ran a few races up there to help get another taste of an international racing division. I wanted to race against other drivers to help grow my resume.

Question from: [mvp32] I have watched your little brother's career. How is he been progressing?

Things went great this year in ASA for him. He finished 8th in points and he was very competitive during the second half of the season. He would have loved to have been in the Craftsman Truck Series, but he will begin racing there again when he turns 18. He got a lot of lessons learned with the professional race team and the traveling, as well as living out of Las Vegas for the first time.

Question from: [FordFanForever] Kurt, how does it feel to clinch the manufacturers' title? Is this a proud accomplishment for you and your team?

It is quite an honor actually because we all know the slogan, "Winning on Sunday, selling on Monday!" We have been competitive at every racetrack this year, and we are making steps towards the future, and with Jack Roush being involved with Ford for many years, the relationship has just been great.

Question from: [Tigertron] If the rain had held off, do you think you would've had the car to hold off Dale Jr., Dale Jarrett and Joe in the final laps?

You picked it exactly right! Those were the fastest cars then, as well as Tony Stewart. It was quite a show and all of us were competing up front. We just got the Rubbermaid Ford dialed in. The temperatures never really dropped and we had our car just dialed in at the right time. I do believe we could have held them off if we went the full 500 miles.

Question from: [BuschRules] Hey Kurt, have you and Jimmy Spencer solidified your offseason get-together plans yet? Haha.

HAHA. I don't think he is on my Christmas mailing list, and of course I will be back in Las Vegas enjoying time with my family. After that we will be heading to Daytona for some testing.

Question from: [Kanataluvsnascr] What have you learned from racing this year that will help you to prepare for the 2003 season? Best of luck this weekend!!

Good question. I learned a lot of lessons on and off the track. Being competitive week in and week out and getting away from DNFs is important. You need to do that by avoiding mechanical things and just watch yourself on the racetrack. Knowing when to conserve tires or when to stand on the pedal, and working with Jimmy Fennig on when to make changes on the cars during pitting. Those are some things I have learned here late in the season.

Question from: [lish8fan] Hey Kurt, I was just wondering since I know you race pretty hard with your competitors out there, who is your toughest competitor? I was also wondering who is your biggest inspiration racing-wise?

I would have to say the toughest competitor week in and week out is Tony Stewart. With his determination and car handling characteristics, he can be tough everywhere. Of course there is the experience level that Dale Jarrett has, and Dale Jr. can run strong on any given week, so I would have to say I raced around those three guys the most. My biggest mentor and friend in my racing career is also my father. He has taught me everything I have learned about racecars, both mechanically and how to drive them.

	Credit: Autostock

Question from: [Casey's chick] Kurt, give us some insight on what it is like to be a part of one of the most successful teams in Winston Cup, Roush Racing.

As you may have guessed, there is a lot going on with four teams. My shop is shared with Matt Kenseth's, and we have the most wins out of Winston Cup shops. We have a great group of guys working and building on the cars, and of course with all the marketing teams and having appearances and Rubbermaid exposed to great fans, it is a busy schedule but it is so fun to go out and race every Sunday.

Question from: [imabigefan] Since Halloween is up and coming, do you have any superstitions? Do you carry or do anything for luck before a race? :)

I used to wear my trusty NASCAR socks, and during my rookie year, it was so bad I needed a change. I have just gone with a lucky kiss from my girlfriend before the start of every race, and so far that has worked! Of course, racecar drivers don't like the color green or the No. 13, so I still have to stick with that.

Question from: [cUinTEXAS] Kurt, of your three wins which was most satisfying and why?

There will never be anything greater than the first taste of victory at Bristol. That is the most sweetest and memorable, but there is definition behind all of them. With the way we competed to win and going through the trials and tribulations of Winston Cup racing, each win will always have a special meaning, but to reach this elite level and win a race, the first one is always the best.

Question from: [Carrie2124] I attended my first race in August at Michigan and it seemed that the Roush cars ran a lot quieter than all the others. I wasn't right up on the track, but I could barely hear the engine when a Roush car went by. Was it just my imagination?

At some tracks that size, you can run your pipes out the right side or the left side. I guess the Roush Racing cars must have run the exhaust out the left side, therefore it would be a little quieter for you. The RPMs are just up as high as the other competitors.

Question from: [MarkMartin2002Champ] I have often noticed in first practice at many tracks, the Roush team have some fast cars while others struggle. If your car is slow does your team switch to a teammates setup or just modify your own setup?

It is a balancing act. You have to know when you are "out to lunch." When you are working on a specific program with something new, you continue to work on it if you think it will work. That is a decision that Jimmy and I will make. When we unload from the trailer, sometimes we are right on it, and sometimes we are not. We just have to weight the options and then just have a proven setup under the Rubbermaid Ford before we go to qualifying.

Question from: [Carstart Kurt], why does Jack always wear that hat, and when are you going to take it off his head and put it in your car for the whole race?

That is the Cat in the Hat! He has grown fond of his hat and penalizes those who taunt him! Just kidding... I got one of those as a gift for my dad and he hung it on one of the trophies I won. He does change his hat for some days with a bigger visor to keep the sun out of his eyes, or keep the rain from going through. So he changes his hat based on weather conditions, just like we change our cars. Sometimes he adds a chinstrap to keep it from blowing off! Haha

Question from: [how] I saw you were the last team to leave the track Sunday night. Was anything found at post-race inspection?

Just a lot of quality Ford parts! The normal tear down procedure was conducted and our Ford went through that inspection, and of course Joe's, Dale's and Tony's cars were there. We just went to Victory Lane and celebrated, so that is why we were the last one leaving.

Question from: [Go18car] Kurt, any of your test sessions going to include road-track courses?

This year we tested at Infineon out in California and that really benefited our road-course events this year. We haven't laid out our format for testing next year, but we will probably go to one not on the Cup schedule so we don't have to burn a test. We will work on some road course ideas and handling characteristics to a course similar to Watkins Glen or Infineon.

Question from: [nluvwlance] Hi was just wondering what drivers do you admire or look up to as a young driver in the sport?

When I was growing up in the 80s with my dad, his favorite was Dale Earnhardt and his driving style grew on to me. I used to watch Mark Martin, so it is great to compete and socialize with him on a daily basis because of how high I put him on my hero list. My driving style can fit anywhere between those two. Those guys always competed to be the best of the best.

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Question from: [RoushHatFan] Hi Kurt. What do you think about today's announcement with Stanton Barrett? What are your thoughts on his future?

It is great to see that they will continue the No. 60 Busch car legacy with Mark Martin doing so well in that car, and with Greg carrying the torch and being very close to a Championship this year. Hopefully Stanton can do well to carry that tradition on in the program, as there will be a lot of pressure on him.

Question from: [RACERDY] Kurt, since the swap at the beginning of the year with your crew and Mark Martin's, do you still have the same relationship with Ben Leslie, or anybody else that you did before the swap?

Yes, of course. I have a lot of communication lines open with the guys that swapped teams. The more information available, the better. My guys have done a great job getting my cars prepared the way I like them. The final outcome has produced a Championship run for Mark Martin, and a strong sophomore year for us.

	Credit: Autostock

Question from: [nascarfan] Kurt, what are your goals for next year, and what are some things that you need to improve to win more races?

There is always room for improvement, and of course in the world of Winston Cup racing, you have to stay up with the changing times. Next year we will have a little bit of an aero change with the body location rule, and so we will be performing tests at Daytona, Las Vegas, Kentucky, and maybe a short track not on the schedule, before the season even starts in February.

I realistically believe that the goals in 2002 can become a reality in 2003, and that is making a run at the Championship for the elusive Winston Cup! It will take an approach that wont put too much pressure on the Rubbermaid team where we can go out and do our job week in and week out and be able to create 13-second pit stops, and ultimately it is about being competitive every week. Those are our goals.

Thank you Kurt! That's all the time we have today, do you have any final thoughts?

Thanks for sticking it out! It is a lot of fun winning races and it is fun interacting with the fans across the country via the internet. Please keep watching the Rubbermaid Ford as we collect up points on Sunday afternoons!