Saturday’s upcoming Toyota Owners 400 will be the ninth official race in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. But for Kurt Busch, it’s just one race closer to his fearless “Double” attempt in May, when the daredevil will take on the IndyCar Indianapolis 500 and the Sprint Cup Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, all in the same day!
He may be known as the Outlaw of the racing world, but at the end of the day, Busch is a down-to-earth guy who likes to drive fast and win big.
So, in honor of our partnership with Kurt Busch and Stewart-Haas Racing this year, we’d like to reintroduce our Driver Profile Series, “Behind the Wheel with Kurt Busch.” We’ll be serving up a behind-the-scenes peek into the No. 41 driver’s life, his racing background and his thoughts on the races ahead.
Enjoy!
Q: What’s your first racing memory?
A: “My first memory was racing on the dirt track outside of Las Vegas. I remember finishing fifth and the only damage I had was on the front bumper.”
Q: Has anyone influenced your career path? If so, who?
A: “My dad, primarily. Then each of the different car owners I’ve worked with since I started. I’m so grateful for each of those opportunities.”
Q: What’s been the best thing to happen in your career since you started racing professionally?
A: “Definitely, without a doubt, winning the 2004 Sprint Cup championship.”
Q: How did it feel to win the Sprint Cup?
A: “It’s the pinnacle of all motorsports, so it was a lifelong dream realized.”
Q: “So you’ve already won the Sprint Cup, you’re racing the “Double” next month. What’s the next big goal you’d like to accomplish in your career?
A: “I’ve drag raced, raced in NASCAR and I’m going to race IndyCar, so I guess I would have to say I’d love to drive a rally car.”
The Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Virginia starts this Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. ET on FOX.
