Kurt Busch shows off the Nextel Cup trophy to Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa. Credit: Buena Vista Television

Busch hits the Big Apple

Nextel Cup champ begins making the rounds with TV appearances

NEW YORK -- Kurt Busch sits calmly in a frenzied waiting room, gnawing on a chocolate chip cookie when one of the thousand or so producers for NBC's Today Show meanders in to prep him for an appearance Monday on the morning news program.

Busch's demeanor is easy. Not even a request to don a Santa hat during an interview with host Matt Lauer fazes him.

The reasoning, he laughs, is simple. Actor Jude Law, recently chosen by People magazine as the sexiest man alive, also is on the program, and the red plush hat will assist viewers in distinguishing between actor and racer.

"They don't want to get Jude and I confused," Busch chuckled sarcastically.

In actuality, Busch's headwear would signal his position -- gift collector. As part of a Today Show promotion, Busch collected unwrapped gifts from fans standing outside the studio in a large red sack, which would later be given to charity in the New York area.

Following Law's highly anticipated appearance, Busch waited patiently as Dr. Phil solved life's problems -- remote from L.A., no less -- for random e-mailers all over the country.

Off goes Busch.

During the commercial break between Dr. Phil's advisory and Busch's appearance, Marc Summers rolls in. He's the guy of Nickelodeon's Double Dare fame that has since moved on to the Food Network. Summers is cordial and outgoing and asks me what we're there for.

I tell him and he's intrigued. I can't help but admit to him that I loved Double Dare as a kid.

"How old are you?" he asks.

"28."

"Yep, you'd have been about 10 years old when that show debuted."

Thank heavens. I was terrified he'd say I was 17, and find it odd that I watched such programming while nearing adulthood.

Nextel communications director Mike Mooney then comments how much his wife loves Unwrapped, Summers' show on Food Network. Summers is pleased, and gushes about how wonderful his job is, saying he shoots an entire season in about 10 to 15 days, yet is paid for an entire year.

Next comes the line of the day, from Busch's PR man, Kevin Thomas, to Mooney:

"Mooney, that's what you do."

Everyone in earshot howls. On comes Busch, to whom Lauer asks many standard questions about the Chase for the Cup.

"At the end of it I was in stitches," Busch said. "My crew told me on the back straightaway that I'd won it, and I almost passed out. You want everything to go perfect in that last race, want to know the next steps to take. But we had to roll with the punches. It takes overcoming adversity to do it."

Lauer then states that Busch will have a target on his back in 2005.

"Yeah, my car probably won't look this good next year," Busch said, pointing to the pristine Irwin Tools show car parked outside the studio.

From there it was on to Live with Regis and Kelly, on which Busch appeared with the other nine Chase drivers for a fashion show in September. Busch wore suspenders and an orange sweater during that fashion extravaganza, and no one let him forget it.

Kelly Ripa: "You seemed confused by the suspenders."

Busch: "We're drivers. When we get in regular clothes, we get lost."

Regis Philbin (in overly facetious tone): "It's fall fashion, and as you can see we're all wearing suspenders."

Then comes footage of Busch's modeling skill, including various pirouette maneuvers on stage, before the trio delves into the intricacies of last week's season finale at Homestead.

Ripa is tight with Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, and said she watched the entire race.

"It was an act of God the way things lined up," Busch said as producers showed footage of his wayward tire rolling down the front straightaway.

Busch then informs Regis and Kelly that he's set to receive a $5.2 million check from Nextel on Friday. Ripa is impressed.

Ripa: "Kurt, are you married?"

Busch: "No. Not yet."

Ripa: "Ladies ... !

Ripa: "Do you have a girlfriend?"

Busch: "Yes, I've been dating her for about a year."

In retrospect, he may have wanted to stop right there.

Busch: "She shops well, is good with the credit card and looks good sitting on the pit box."

Next question.

So this trophy is all yours?

"Nextel changed the face of the sport and how we drive, but that trophy makes it all worth it."

The Nextel Cup trophy was made by Tiffany & Co., and is worth a boatload of cash. It seems someone forgot to inform Regis. He picks it up as if it's made of rusted cast iron, terrifying Busch. Fortunately, Regis holds on.

Time to go, but not before a phone call.

"Hi, Grandma," Busch said as he waited for a limo to whisk him off to the next appearance. "How'd I do?"

Pretty well, for certain. The producers of Regis and Kelly did ask him back as a future co-host, after all.