Conversation: Kurt Busch

There probably wasn't another driver who created and endured more controversy in 2003 than Kurt Busch.

His run-in with Jimmy Spencer created the kind of headlines no one wants, and he faced the wrath of the fans because of it.

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After winning at Bristol in August, Busch faced a chorus of boos that were nearly unprecedented in the sport.

Later, NASCAR got on his case, pulling his annual credential for spinning his car around on Martinsville Speedway's pit road.

But 2003 is finally over, and like everyone else, Busch gets to start anew. He recently spoke with NASCAR.com's Lee Montgomery about the controversial 2003 season, how he handled it, and how he is approaching 2004.

Now that 2003 is finally over with, how will you look back on this year? And what remember the year?

Kurt Busch: The things I'll probably remember most about it is it was a good year, at times. Overall, it was a good year. We had four wins, and we were able to pull off a sweep at Bristol.

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And that, by anybody's standards, was a great year. But on the other hand, we had more DNFs than we needed to, and we ended up just missing the top 10 in points.

Are you a person that looks back on things? Or do you always try to look forward?

Kurt Busch: I would say that every race we go to, there's a scenario. The minute the cars are loaded on to the hauler after the race and we're on the way back, we're thinking and talking about next week's race.

With the schedule as tight as it is, you really have to concentrate on the challenges ahead, and that doesn't leave a lot of time to look back on things.

With that being said, it's most important to remember things that worked or didn't work in the past so you can concentrate to improve. It doesn't leave a lot of time for anything but looking forward

Do you still feel like you're learning your way around the sport, trying to figure out how things are done and how things should be done?

	Kurt Busch has quickly become one of the best short tracks drivers in the Nextel Cup Series. Credit: Autostock

Kurt Busch: I think if you talked with guys like Mark Martin and Bill Elliott -- or any of the guys who have been around the sport a few years -- they would say they're still learning their way around the sport to some extent.

It's changed a lot on the short time I've been involved, and we're all having to adjust and adapt to the increased awareness that our sport receives. Until the day that I retire, I'll still be learning my way around the sport.

Of course, there was the controversy this year. The fans got on you pretty good after the incident at Michigan, after then after you won at Bristol. You lost a lot of them, for whatever reason. Do you plan to do anything to win them back?

Kurt Busch: My fans have always been terrific. We probably didn't make too many new fans at that point in the season, but I'm sure the fans who have supported me all along will stick through this and continue to look for the 97 to be up front.

Kevin Harvick and maybe a couple other drivers said some pretty harsh things at Bristol and around the whole thing. Forget for a second everything else around it. Does that of talk bother you at all?

	Kevin Harvick Credit: Autostock

Kurt Busch: You can't forget about the things that are discussed around that event. It's Bristol. Anytime you get into the car, it seems like your adrenaline and the blood pressure and your heart rate double. The pressure around the whole situation.

I know I've said some things during after a race in the heat of the moment that probably could have said better/ It's something you can't let bother you. It's something you have to let go.

Hell, Harvick, besides, probably said a few other things as well. But he said I could really wheel a race car, so I'll take it as a compliment.

After Michigan, going back to Jimmy Spencer a little bit, you didn't really have any trouble with him. I remember the race at Phoenix, when you were leading, and he was a lap down.

You guys battled pretty hard, and there was no contact, nothing at all. Is everything settled between you and him? Or will it ever be?

Kurt Busch: I remember that same scenario. He had a great car during that run on the restart at Phoenix. I knew we could race each other cleanly, and we did. I know there will be more opportunities for us to race side-by-side, and I'm confident that we can continue to both be professionals.

Do you feel like you've been given a fair shake through all this by the media, by the fans, and maybe most importantly, by the other drivers?

	Jimmy Spencer Credit: Autostock

Kurt Busch: I think I've been in some pretty interesting situations the past year. I've gotten a lot of attention from the media. We've also been pretty successful the past two years, and that only increases the amount of attention you're going to receive.

Everyone plays a role. The media has to cover their stories, the fans have to pull for and root against drivers, and we as the drivers end up being on both sides of things.

Nobody wants to be the bad guy. I just want to go out and win races.

What is your relationship like with most other drivers? Maybe perhaps other than your teammates, do you feel like they respect you?

Kurt Busch: I feel fortunate to have made it to the NASCAR Nextel Cup series, which is the top level in our sport. There's an inherent respect among drivers for anyone who has made it to this level.

I've only had three full seasons; I'm still a new guy, a new face in the garage for the most part. With there being so many race weekends, 36 plus a couple of all-star type shows and testing and appearances, we don't have a lot of time to interact with each other.

	Credit: Autostock

That takes away from that point.

I wish we did have more time to get to know one another, but our schedules really don't allow it, unfortunately.

Going through all the stuff this year -- the controversy, not the good times -- did you feel like you changed in any way? Did it change the way you look at things? I guess I'm specifically talking about Michigan, Bristol, that stuff.

Kurt Busch: Yeah, it seems like I can handle the good stuff. When there's a scenario for the other side of things, each and every year there are things you learn on and off the track.

When I was rookie, I was learning things about how to make a Cup car handle and going to some of the different tracks for the first time.

In 2002-2003, I was looking at things differently because I wasn't seeing them for the first time. Next year, we'll be looking at things differently as well. If you don't see things from different angles, you'll never get any better. Our goal is to constantly improve.

During some of those tough scenarios, did you turn to anybody, did you talk to anybody? Your father? Your brother?

Kurt Busch: It's like a question from before on how we look further forward. My family has always been supportive of me and my little brother's racing as well.

	Jeff Burton (left) with Busch Credit: Autostock

Not many racers have the opportunities like Kyle and I have had to race cars and work on cars with their parents so deeply behind them. As a matter of fact, Kyle will be running full-time in the Busch Series next year, and we just moved Mom, Dad and Grandma from Vegas to Charlotte so we can all be closer during the week and during the season.

What about your team? Obviously, Jack and Jimmy, you're around them all the time. How was Jack during all that?

Kurt Busch: Jack's the real deal. For a driver, he's the ideal owner because he understands racing, and he's willing to give us what we need to be successful. Jimmy Fennig is like a second father to me.

I can't say enough good things about the 97 program. We'll all be back next year in 2004 with a different look. We've got Newell Rubbermaid coming back, and one of their sponsors they want to promote is Irwin Industrial Tools and the Sharpie Gold Metallic Markers next year.

Turning toward next year, 2003 started off great, obviously. You were up front a lot. Then you had some engine troubles and some other stuff, and then the controversy, with Spencer, blah, blah, blah, and then you finished out of the Top 10. What are your goals for 2004? Do you consider yourself a championship contender?

Kurt Busch: It takes more than just myself to win the championship. It takes the team, the car, a car owner and the whole group behind you, as well as the sponsors.

I know we've got a championship car owner, and I think we've got a championship car and team. The greatest thing to do would be to follow up Matt's last Winston Cup championship by winning our first Nextel Cup championship.