Stewart Haas Racing has submitted a formal offer to #78-Kurt Busch to drive a fourth Sprint Cup entry beginning in 2014, multiple NASCAR sources have confirmed to ESPN.com. The proposed deal would team Busch with team owner Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and Danica Patrick in the SHR stable. Asked for confirmation Sunday, SHR spokesman Mike Arning submitted the following statement via email: ‘Stewart-Haas Racing constantly strives to improve itself, and expansion is something that is often discussed. If the right opportunity presents itself, its something the team will certainly consider.” Busch was unavailable for comment Sunday night. Sources said Haas/CNC would sponsor Buschs car, should he choose to sign with SHR. Busch has performed quite well this season in the #78 Chevy from Furniture Row Racing, but team sources say FRR has yet to offer him a contract extension.( ESPN ) AND Sources tell FOXSports.com that Kurt Busch has been made a formal, multiyear offer to join Stewart-Haas Racing next season. The offer was made before Stewarts sprint-car accident on Aug. 5. Neither Stewart, who is recovering from a broken leg sustained in that sprint-car accident, nor Gene Haas was at the track this weekend. SHR competition director Greg Zipadelli, meanwhile, laughed at the notion. ‘We still have to fill the 14’ Zipadelli said. However, he did not dispute that SHR has room to expand at its Concord, N.C., campus.( FoxSports ) UPDATE: Responding to reports that he has a formal contract offer from Stewart Haas Racing to drive a fourth Sprint Cup entry for the organization in 2014, Busch told ESPN.com that he has multiple opportunities for next season. He did not address Stewart Haas Racing specifically though he did say nothing was signed as of Monday morning. ‘Ive received offers from multiple teams’ Busch said. ‘This isnt a decision Im taking lightly. Im looking at what teams have planned long term and want to be in a place where my opinion and input is valued. I like to be involved in the process like I have been here at Furniture Row. At the same time, I was hoping to not have this distraction while working with my guys to get us in the Chase.”( ESPN )(8-19-2013) UPDATE 2: Greg Zipadelli, Competition Director of Stewart-Haas Racing and Mark Martin, interim driver for the #14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet SS, were guests on this weeks NASCAR teleconference. The transcript in part: Q.) Zippy, I just wanted to see if you had any comment on Lee Spencers report that SHR had offered Kurt Busch a deal for next year beyond a possible expansion? GREG ZIPADELLI : I mean, right now were really focusing on Mark. Obviously theres options out there. Were looking at everything thats there. There is nothing done. Right now like I said were focused on the 39, trying to win another race to make it into the Chase and getting Mark fitted up in this car and heading to Bristol to do the best job we can. Q.) For Greg, obviously there will be a lot of reports and whatnot moving ahead, not knowing what 2014 will hold, and are you talking to drivers still now, other drivers beyond the story and the talk in the garage about Kurt Busch? GREG ZIPADELLI : No, not at all. Like I said, weve got two big things going on here right now with the 39 having an opportunity to make the Chase and getting Mark Martin over here, get him acclimated with the guys and how we do things and heading to Bristol. Well take it week by week. Q.) You talked about youre focused on the 14 and getting the 39 in the Chase, but obviously with the report of the possible expansion, certainly in your role as competition director youre looking short-term and long-term. You talked earlier this season about the challenges of going from a two-car to three-car operation and how that maybe slowed you guys up in performance. What are the lessons you learned and how do you avoid that if you go from a three-car to a four-car organization and not have those same problems? GREG ZIPADELLI: Well, theres lessons to be learned. Were not to that point yet. Right now we are a three-car. We have made lots of gains throughout the year, but I still think we have room to improve. Were still working on that. Obviously if something were to come, we would look at where we feel like we fell short and try to do a better job at it.(Team Chevy)
