Ginn Racing wants a shot to woo Busch its way

Ginn Racing just wants to get out of the on-deck circle and into the batter's box this time.

Just one chance to swing the big stick, that's all.

But just as it ultimately turned out with Dale Earnhardt Jr., it may not happen with Kyle Busch -- the latest driver being hotly pursued not only by the Ginn organization but several others, including clear frontrunner Dale Earnhardt Inc. (Busch talks free agency with Tony Stewart)

Looking to the future

As soon as the announcement was made Kyle Busch was leaving Hendrick Motorsports, the inquiries started coming in.

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Busch essentially became a free agent-in-waiting when it was announced he and Rick Hendrick, his boss at Hendrick Motorsports, had mutually agreed to part ways at the end of this season -- even though Busch had one year remaining on his current contract. That announcement came the same day it was announced Earnhardt, who earlier said he would be leaving DEI at the end of the 2007 season, had signed a five-year contract with Hendrick and would begin driving there next season.

While sources say that Busch already has sat down with some of the powers-that-be at DEI for a chat about future employment, those same sources indicate that Ginn may already have been removed from Busch's short list of potential employers for 2008 and beyond. If so, that would be disappointing for Jay Frye, CEO and general manager of Ginn Racing.

"We would certainly be interested in speaking with Kyle, yes," Frye said prior to last Sunday's Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway. "All this just happened last week. I think the dust needs to settle, and hopefully within the next couple of weeks we'll be able to get with his group and see where we're at."

Explaining why he would like to add Busch to the Ginn stable of Cup drivers that currently includes part-timers Mark Martin and Regan Smith, and veteran full-timers Joe Nemechek and Sterling Marlin, Frye added: "He's 22 years old and he's already been out here a couple of years. He's one of the best Cup drivers out here today. So he's a phenomenal talent. We think he's a great kid. So the upside is huge. The potential is huge. And when you speak of potential that means what is yet to come and he's really, really good right now."

Problem is, by the time the dust settles, it appears that Busch may be signed with someone else. (Continued)