2008 Preseason No. 8: Kurt Busch

No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge

2008 Spin
Kurt Busch referred to 2007 as a “transition year.” And a fine transition it was. The 2004 Cup champ burst back on the scene in his second year with Penske Racing, making the Chase and winning twice to improve nine spots from his '06 standing.

Just don’t say he briefly dropped from public view.

“It’s a little sticker that you get from a cactus in your back when you’re (considered for) the Most Improved Award, because that means you fell behind,” he says of his jump from 16th in ’06 to seventh in ’07. “We’ve definitely got our work cut out for us (to stay on top).”

Leading that charge will again be Pat Tryson, the final stop on a crew chief carousel that once threatened to derail Busch’s season. The No. 2 team began the year with Roy McCauley at that helm, then Troy Raker took over, but neither was able to make a breakthrough with Busch. It took Tryson, who led Mark Martin to three Chase appearances at Roush Racing, to make the impact the Miller Lite team sorely needed.
“(That was) the key moment for us,” Busch claims. “Once we got (Pat) aboard, things clicked on all eight cylinders, and we were able to work our way into the top 10 in points.”

If Tryson had been hired earlier, there’s no telling how good the No. 2 car could have been. And with improvements coming down the line at Penske — the organization is starting a full-time test team, for starters — Busch and Tryson should be in position to do it again in ’08. The only hurdle may come in the first five races as Penske has transfered the No. 2 car’s owner points to a new third team with Sam Hornish Jr. But even then, Busch has his past champion’s provisional to use, a safety net for a team quickly losing a need for one.

“We know that we have a challenge in front of us in continuing our level of performance,” he says. “The competition will be even stronger next year, but I am confident our team will be ready.”

Opposing Crew Chiefs’ Take
“That team came a long way. They were way behind. (Crew chief) Pat (Tryson) stabilized that deal. … Kurt’s just like his brother (Kyle). He’s got a lot of talent, and as long as he’s got his head on straight, he’ll contend. … Great, great talent, good organization. (Penske Racing) has been great for Kurt. I’m just not sure the pieces are all in place around him. I look at Kurt and (Tony) Stewart as being very much alike, but Tony has (Joe) Gibbs in the background. Tony respects him more than Kurt does Roger (Penske). In a Chase, though, he could do it again. The lay of the land is never going to be the same in a Chase.”

Fantasy Stall
Looking at Checkers: Opposite ends of the spectrum, but Bristol and Pocono are favorites of his.
Pretty Solid Pick: Although the results don’t show it, he’s been stout on the plate tracks.
Good Sleeper Pick: California and Loudon.
Runs on Seven Cylinders: Busch is improving on road courses but has yet to master them.
Insider Tip: The majority of his short track success is confined to Bristol.

For more in-depth driver news and hard-hitting features, order your 2008 Athlon Sports Racing Annual here.