Kyle Busch, the younger brother of Roush Racing Winston Cup #99 Driver Kurt Busch, has not only left the Roush organization but has joined one of its biggest competitors. Busch, 17, had planned to join Roush following his 18th birthday on May 2 and compete in the CTS in Roush’s #99 Ford truck. NASCAR requires drivers in its top three series to be at least 18 before they can compete. Instead, Kyle Busch has joined Hendrick Motorsports and will run a varied schedule of ARCA and BGN races this season, ThatsRacin.com has learned. Busch will drive in several ARCA races with Hendrick until he turns 18 then run a limited BGN schedule the remainder of the season, sources said. ARCA spokesman Don Radebaugh confirmed Monday Busch had the necessary speedway experience to compete in the series should he wish to enter this weekend’s Daytona ARCA race. However, it was unclear whether Hendrick would be able to put together the team in time.(ThatsRacin.com)(2-3-2003)
UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick announced the signing of driver Kyle Busch to a multi-year contract. The 17-year-old will run at least seven BGN 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 races with Hendrick Motorsports this season, will become eligible for BGN competition when he turns 18 on May 2. He and 19-year-old teammate Brian Vickers, driver of the #5 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolet, will form the youngest tandem in NASCAR history. “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. At 16, Busch earned two top-10 finishes in only six CTS starts before the sanctioning body mandated age restrictions in its top three circuits. In 2002, he finished eighth in ASA championship points as a rookie and is a two-time Legends Car champion at Las Vegas Speedway. Barring additions to Busch’s seven-race schedule this season, he will be eligible for the 2004 Busch Series rookie-of-the-year award.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(2-4-2003)
