Kurt Busch looks on as Kyle and Pattie Petty announce Busch's gift to the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Credit: AP

Friday Notes: Busch gives to Victory Junction

Donation will help build structure for climate-controlled sports

CONCORD, N.C. -- Kurt Busch has been called a lot of things during his Nextel Cup career, particularly for a few incidents that occurred in NASCAR's annual all-star race.

	Pattie Petty, CEO, Victory Junction Gang Camp
	APPROACHING TWO YEARS The Victory Junction Gang Camp provides a place for ill children to participate in a weeklong schedule of activities. But it's also a healing tool for families.  •   Complete story, click here

But you can't call him stingy or selfish, not after Friday when the 2004 Cup champion announced a $1 million donation to build the Kurt Busch Superdome at the Victory Junction Camp for chronically ill children.

The 28,000-square foot structure will give children at the camp, founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in memory of their son, Adam, the opportunity to play sports in a climate-controlled atmosphere required by most because of their condition.

It is the first step in kicking off the Kurt Busch Foundation, which was organized to help provide benefits for children through sports.

"Some of you don't know the Kurt Busch that Kyle and I know, and the children at our camp know," Pattie said before practice for Saturday's all-star race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "I personally feel Kurt Busch is one of the finest young men to come around in our garage.

"This guy has made a difference and will continue to make a difference."

The dome will be split into areas for soccer, golf, baseball, archery and other sports. Construction is expected to begin after the summer session.

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"I want this to show how serious I am about this," said Busch, once dubbed NASCAR's bad boy for his aggressive driving. "I want to make everyone aware of how important this is to me. This is an oasis of hope, love and excitement, a true miracle for needy children."

The dome will be the largest building on the campus that opened three years ago. That's fitting, Kyle said, because Busch has been a "huge, huge" part of the camp.

Kyle noted that Busch has visited the camp, built near the Petty race shop in Randleman, N.C., more than any driver in NASCAR's top series. He recalled the time when Busch went to the Fab Shop, a glorified beauty parlor, and emerged with his hair spiked and dyed purple.

"A lot of these kids never have had an opportunity to play sports, never had a chance to be a part of a team activity," Kyle said. "When Kurt came to Pattie and started talking about this, we realized this is what the Kurt Busch Foundation is all about, teamwork, teaching sportsmanship."

Quotable

Busch on finalizing plans for his marriage to Eva Bryan the last weekend of July: "I think we're rounding third base. I've struck out a few times, and I was sitting in the dugout pulling my hair out, but I think we're rounding third base now."

Rap on Mark

Mark Martin is a fan of rap and hip-hop music. Credit: Autostock

MARTIN'S RAP ANTHEM As a continuation of the Salute to You Tour the official Mark Martin rap anthem, "Start Your Engines," will debut during the Nextel All-Star weekend.  The rap song was inspired by Martin's career and love of rap music. The song is being promoted in conjunction with Roush Racing's diversity initiative.  Round House Multimedia owners Derrick Garrett and Kevin Dent are the executive producers of the song.

Rap music and NASCAR usually aren't spoken in the same breath, but they may be when fans hear Mark Martin's new rap anthem dubbed, Start Your Engines.

The song raps through the entire career of the 47-year-old Martin, beginning with his days as a young driver in Arkansas.

"I know some of you think it's kind of funny," said Martin, one of the more well-versed music lovers in the garage. "My wife and [14-year-old son] Matt say I'm too old to listen to rap.

"This is the right format for an anthem. Can you imagine AC/DC singing a song like that? It's pretty cool."

Moonshine returns

Moonshining was a big part of NASCAR's history. Now it will be on the side of driver Kirk Shelmerdine's car.

Shelmerdine will be sponsored by Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine for the next three races.

"Kirk is a small team competing with the majors and their big budgets, and we're trying to do the same thing in our business," said Joe Michalek, the president of Piedmont Distillers Inc.