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Kurt Busch comments on crew chief rumors UPDATE:

October 19, 2011 at 12:00 AM

  • from a Kurt Busch NASCAR Teleconference Transcript via Dodge Motorsports, #22-Kurt Busch was asked about the rumors that his crew chief, Steve Addington, could be leaving the team after the 2011 season:
    Q) DURING THE CHASE THERE HAS BEEN RUMORS SWIRLING AROUND YOUR TEAM AND YOUR CREW CHIEF. HOW DO YOU STAY FOCUSED ON THE PRIZE AWAY FROM ALL THOSE RUMORS? IT HAS TO BE HARD FOR YOU AS A DRIVER?
    Busch: “I’ve been through it before with a crew chief that was leaving back in 2009 and actually finished fourth overall in the standings, even had a shot to win it until the wreck at Talladega. So that’s where we’re headed this weekend. We’ll stay focused on what we have to do. It doesn’t matter what the outside world says. We have five very important weeks ahead of us and each week is the most important week. Practice on Friday, qualify on Saturday, race on Sunday and that’s the best part, going out there and racing.”(Dodge Motorsports)(10-19-2011)
    UPDATE: Kurt Busch responded to widespread reports that his crewchief, Steve Addington, will leave the Shell-Pennzoil Dodge team at the end of the season, saying team owner Roger Penske holds an option on Addington’s contract that will keep the veteran crewchief atop the #22 pit box in 2012. Busch told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody, “Roger Penske told me he has a contract option on Addington. It was not even up for discussion back in August, which is the normal contract season.” He accused outside parties of trying to distract the team from its championship run, which currently has him seventh in points, 27 behind leader Carl Edwards. “When you win like we did at Dover, you’re on top,” said Busch. “And immediately, somebody has to try and take you down. That’s when this rumor started, after we were a winning combination at Dover.
    “Why would we be splitting up?” asked Busch. “We’ve got five weeks (to go) and we’re in championship contention. (The media) wants to talk about things, and we want to get through the Chase. So why don’t we just wait until the end?” Addington has called the reports, “pure rumors and speculation.”(Sirius Speedway)(10-19-2011)