Kyle Busch signs multi-year deal with Hendrick

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick on Tuesday announced the signing of driver Kyle Busch to a multi-year contract.

The 17-year-old will run at least seven NASCAR Busch Series events under the Hendrick banner in 2003, with a full schedule planned for 2004.

"Kyle is one of the best young racers I've ever been around and it's certainly exciting to have him on board," Hendrick said. "To say he has a bright future would be an understatement."

Busch, who will also compete in four ARCA events with Hendrick Motorsports this season, will become eligible for Busch Series competition when he turns 18 on May 2. He and 19-year-old teammate Brian Vickers, driver of the No. 5 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolet, will form the youngest tandem in NASCAR history.

Along with its Busch Series operation, Hendrick Motorsports fields four teams in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series with drivers Terry Labonte, Jeff Gordon, Joe Nemechek and Jimmie Johnson.

"I feel lucky to have this opportunity with an organization like Hendrick Motorsports," said Busch, who graduated with honors a year early from Durango High School in his native Las Vegas. "We'll ease into it this year with some select races and go full-steam next season.

"It's going to be fun teaming with Brian in the Busch Series and having Winston Cup champions like Jeff Gordon and Terry Labonte to learn from. Joe (Nemechek) is a Busch Series champion and Jimmie Johnson has won at every level. As a young driver, it's just a great environment for me to develop."

At 16, Busch earned two top-10 finishes in only six NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts before the sanctioning body mandated age restrictions in its top three circuits. In 2002, he finished eighth in American Speed Association championship points as a rookie and is a two-time Legends Car champion at Las Vegas Speedway.