For NASCAR's Kurt Busch, a dearth of options

Having split with Penske Racing, NASCAR driver Kurt Busch says he's searching for a way to "put the fun back into racing for me," seeing a sports psychologist and trying to "grow as a person and be a better driver."

But if Busch plans to compete again next year in the Sprint Cup Series, the former Cup champion also needs to find fast race cars, and that could be a challenge.

Among the Cup series' premier teams, they either don't appear to have room for another driver or would be unlikely to seek Busch's services.

Hendrick Motorsports already has four drivers, the NASCAR maximum. Roush Fenway Racing, where Busch left on sour terms before joining Penske in 2006, and Richard Childress Racing are cutting back to three cars from four next year and have their drivers set.

Joe Gibbs Racing? That's home to Busch's younger brother Kyle, who's already given Gibbs and its sponsors all the controversy they need, thank you.

NASCAR champ Tony Stewart names Steve Addington as crew chief

The musical chairs among NASCAR Sprint Cup crew chiefs continued Monday as newly crowned champion Tony Stewart hired Steve Addington as crew chief for his No. 14 Chevrolet for next year.

Addington, 47, had been Kurt Busch's crew chief but left after a tumultuous season-ending race a week ago in which the Penkse Racing driver launched into a profanity-laced outburst in the garage at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.

NASCAR later levied a $50,000 fine on Busch for his actions.

"I know Steve well and I know how he goes about setting up a racecar," Stewart said in a statement. "He balances the technical part of our sport with the real-world experiences we get at the track, and that will allow for a smooth transition as we prepare to defend our title in 2012."

Addington has 16 career Cup wins, including two with Busch this year. Addington was also a onetime crew chief for Kyle Busch, Kurt's younger brother, at Joe Gibbs Racing and helped him win eight races in 2008 and 12 victories overall.

At Stewart-Haas Racing, Addington replaces Darian Grubb, a former Hendrick Motorsports engineer who became Stewart's crew chief in 2009 when Stewart became co-owner of his race team.

Grubb said he was told in October that he would not return to Stewart-Haas. Stewart struggled badly at times during the season but then won five of the 10 races in NASCAR's Chase for the Cup playoff and captured his third Cup championship.

"He's a great person and I know he'll continue to be successful in this sport," Stewart said of Grubb.

Kevin Harvick, who finished third in the standings behind Stewart and Carl Edwards, also recently announced that he would have a new crew chief in 2012, with Shane Wilson taking over the No. 29 Chevrolet for Gil Martin at Richard Childress Racing.

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: NASCAR crew chief Steve Addington at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on Oct. 31. Credit: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images

NASCAR's Kurt Busch apologizes for outburst, loses crew chief

It has been a ragged ending to the season for NASCAR's Busch brothers.

Two weeks after Kyle Busch was severely reprimanded for intentionally wrecking a rival driver, his older brother Kurt Busch and his Penske Racing team apologized Tuesday for Kurt's outburst in the garage Sunday at the Sprint Cup Series season finale.

After transmission trouble sidelined his Dodge early in the race at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, Kurt Busch made several profanity-laced remarks as he waited impatiently for a live interview with Dr. Jerry Punch, the veteran ESPN pit reporter.

"I let my emotions get the better of me," Busch, 33, said in a statement in which he apologized to Penske Racing, NASCAR, fans, media, sponsors "and in particular, Dr. Jerry Punch." Busch's main sponsor is Shell-Pennzoil.

Penske Racing also apologized and said Busch's actions were "inconsistent with the company's standards for behavior, respect for others and professionalism."

Busch also had angry outbursts on his team radio at races earlier in the season, some directed at crew chief Steve Addington, and Penske Racing confirmed Tuesday that Addington had left the company.

Busch, the 2004 Cup champion, won two races with Addington this year but finished 11th among the 12 drivers in this year's Chase for the Cup title playoff.

ALSO:

Oregon coach says Matt Barkley is better than Andrew Luck in one respect

Denver Broncos put Kyle Orton on waivers

Ryan Braun won NL MVP award — did Matt Kemp get snubbed?

--Jim Peltz

Photo: NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, left, and crew chief Steve Addington at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., last May 28. Credit: Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Race-day preview of NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup in Phoenix

Morning drizzle gave way to partly sunny skies at Phoenix International Raceway as the green flag neared Sunday for the next-to-last race in NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

In the driver introductions for the Kobalt Tools 500, the crowd gave rousing welcomes to Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart, who are expected to decide the Cup title with two races left in the season.

Edwards, seeking his first championship, holds a three-point edge over Stewart, who’s vying for his third title. Stewart is starting eighth in the race, Edwards will start in ninth. Matt Kenseth is on the pole.

Kyle Busch, the polarizing driver who routinely is booed during introductions, got an especially hostile reception following a week in which the driver was heavily penalized for intentionally wrecking a rival a week ago in Texas.

Interstate Batteries has the dominant paint scheme on Busch’s No. 18 Toyota because his main sponsor, the M&M’s candy company, dropped Busch for the last races in response to his actions.

Busch, who has publicly apologized for his behavior, qualified 34^th in the 43-car field. But he has to drop to the rear at the start because his Joe Gibbs Racing crew changed his car’s engine in practice Friday.

Look for race updates at latimes.com/sports.

ALSO:

Kyle Busch apologetic after losing top sponsor for two races

Sam Hornish Jr. gets first NASCAR victory in Nationwide race

Carl Edwards is not about to panic during Chase for the Sprint Cup

--Jim Peltz in Avondale, Ariz.

Photo: Crew members push Clint Bowyer's car to the garage Sunday prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. Credit: Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

NASCAR's Matt Kenseth wins pole for Phoenix race

Matt Kenseth won the pole position for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Phoenix, while title contenders Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart qualified in the top 10.

Edwards has a three-point lead over Stewart with two races left in the Cup season. Kevin Harvick is third, 33 points behind, and Kenseth is fourth, 38 points back.

Kenseth, who won the Cup title in 2003, turned the fastest lap in Saturday's qualifying with an average speed of 137.101 mph on the newly repaved, one-mile Phoenix International Raceway. A.J. Allmendinger qualified second at 136.446 mph.

Stewart will start eighth in the 43-car field and Edwards ninth. Harvick qualified 27th.

Kyle Busch, preparing for his first race since he was heavily penalized for intentionally wrecking another driver a week ago in a NASCAR Truck Series race, qualified 34th in the 43-car field.

But under NASCAR's rules, Busch will have to start at the rear Sunday because his Joe Gibbs Racing team needed to change the engine of his No. 18 Toyota during practice Friday.

RELATED:

The conundrum that is NASCAR's Phoenix race

Why NASCAR's Kobalt Tools 500 could hold surprises

Tony Schumacher serves notice at NHRA Finals qualifying

--Jim Peltz in Avondale, Ariz.

Photo: Matt Kenseth during practice Friday for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. Credit: Jennifer Stewart/US Presswire

NASCAR's Kyle Busch: 'No one to blame but myself'

A contrite Kyle Busch, heavily penalized for a retaliatory move on the track a week ago, said Friday that Joe Gibbs did not consider firing him from Gibbs' NASCAR team but that his behavior was "uncalled for" and "disrespectful."

In his first news conference since the incident, Busch told reporters at Phoenix International Raceway that "I'm utmost apologetic" and that "there's no one to blame but myself."

"There’s an opportunity for me to become a better person, to grow, to learn from this and I’m looking forward to those days," Busch said as he sat next to Gibbs. "I’m sure I have lost some respect from my team, with my sponsors, with my peers and I understand those consequences."

There were other consequences after Busch intentionally wrecked Ron Hornaday Jr.'s truck during a caution period in a NASCAR truck race at Texas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR barred the 26-year-old Busch from driving in the Cup and Nationwide races at Texas last weekend, fined him $50,000 and warned him of an "indefinite suspension" if he drove too aggressively again.

His primary Cup sponsor, the M&M's candy company, Thursday pulled its sponsorship for the last two races of the season, including Sunday's race at Phoenix International. There also had been speculation that Gibbs might release Busch.

Busch himself acknowledged, "Was there a point in which I thought, ‘Do I have a ride?’ Of course there was, yeah, I thought about it."

But Gibbs, the NFL Hall of Fame coach, said, "I want to support Kyle" and that "I'm committed to him as a person." He described Busch as a "gifted driver" who made "a bad decision."

MORE:

M&M's drops NASCAR's Kyle Busch for two races

Why NASCAR's Kobalt Tools 500 could hold surprises

Tony Schumacher serves notice at NHRA Finals qualifying

--Jim Peltz in Avondale, Ariz.

 Photo: Kyle Busch. Credit: Rainier Ehrhardt / Getty Images.

M&M's drops NASCAR's Kyle Busch for last two races

The response to Kyle Busch's on-track retaliation escalated Thursday when candy maker M&M's said it barred Busch from driving the M&M's-sponsored Toyota for the last two races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

The next race is Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway followed by the season finale at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway on Nov. 20.

M&M's, a division of Mars Inc., has been a primary sponsor of Busch's No. 18 car but the company said Busch would not drive the car again until next year with "the expectation that no future incident take place."

"Kyle’s recent actions are unacceptable and do not reflect the values of Mars," Debra A. Sandler, chief consumer officer for Mars Chocolate North America, said in a statement.

"While we do not condone Kyle’s recent actions, we do believe that he has shown remorse and has expressed a desire to change," she said. "We believe our decision will have a positive impact on Kyle and will help him return next season ready to win."

Busch's team, Joe Gibbs Racing, said another longtime sponsor of the team, Interstate Batteries, would be Busch's main sponsor for the last two races.

The incident occurred a week ago in a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. After Busch and Ron Hornaday Jr. -- who was in contention to win the series title -- had bumped earlier in the race, Busch shoved Hornaday's truck hard into the wall during a caution period, a move Busch later acknowledged was retaliation.

NASCAR promptly took the rare step of barring Busch from driving in the Cup and Nationwide races in Texas that weekend, then fined him $50,000, placed him on probation for the rest of the year and warned Busch, 26, that he faced an "indefinite suspension" if he was too aggressive again. Busch later issued a public apology.

Sponsor reportedly wants Kyle Busch removed from Homestead race

The fallout from Kyle Busch's road rage at Texas continued Thursday when one of his sponsors asked for him to be removed from the season-ending Nationwide Series race, according to the Associated Press.

Multiple people familiar with Busch's schedule told the AP that Z-Line Designs asked this week that Denny Hamlin replace Busch in next weekend's Nationwide race at Homestead, Fla. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because Busch's future was still being discussed Thursday with sponsors and Joe Gibbs Racing.

NASCAR has cleared Busch to race this weekend at Phoenix, but officials at Joe Gibbs Racing haven't said whether he will compete in Sunday's Cup race.

Busch has been off the track since he intentionally wrecked Ron Hornaday Jr. under caution in the early laps of last Friday's Truck Series race at Texas.

Busch apologized after the race. NASCAR suspended him for the remainder of the weekend,  fined him $50,000 and put him on probation through the end of the year.

Earlier this year, Busch lost his North Carolina driver's license and was fined $1,000 for driving 128 mph in a 45-mph zone in May. He was also ordered to do 30 hours of community service and serve a year of unsupervised probation.

Busch also had contact with Elliott Sadler during a Bristol Truck race in August, then intentionally wrecked Sadler a few minutes later as retaliation.

This year, Busch has four wins in the Cup Series, eight in Nationwide and six in Trucks.

ALSO:

NASCAR benches Kyle Busch

Danica Patrick will race in Daytona 500

NASCAR owner Rick Hendrick safe after hard landing

-- Houston Mitchell

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Kyle Busch. Credit: Jerome Miron / US Presswire

 

 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Kyle Busch: NASCAR's penalty 'fit the crime'

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said NASCAR's decision to park Kyle Busch for two races and fine him $50,000 for wrecking Ron Hornaday Jr. in a truck race "fit the crime."

"I like the mentality that they've had over the last year or two with letting us sort of settle things on the racetrack, but there's a line you can't cross," Earnhardt told reporters Tuesday in a conference call ahead of Sunday's Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.

Earnhardt was referring to NASCAR's so-called "Boys, have at it" policy of letting the drivers settle more of their disputes instead of the sanctioning body.

When asked where the line is that can't be crossed, Earnhardt replied: "I don't really care where the line is. I don't need a firm understanding of what's right, what's wrong, where everything lies. I just want NASCAR to be a sanctioning body that's fair."

Busch was penalized after shoving Hornaday's truck into the wall during a caution period Friday night as retaliation for their bumping earlier in a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR then parked Busch for the Nationwide Series race Saturday and the Cup race Sunday in Texas. Busch also was fined the $50,000, put on probation and warned that if he committed another foul this season that NASCAR deemed too flagrant, he would be suspended indefinitely.

Busch, 26, issued a public apology to his fans, sponsors, Hornaday and his Joe Gibbs Racing team.

"I know Kyle probably wishes to move past it," Earnhardt said. "I'm sure he's going to learn a lesson from it one way or another. He'll be a better driver and a better person for it in the end."

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage Friday at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. Credit: Tom Pennington / Getty Images

NASCAR fines Kyle Busch $50,000, warns of indefinite suspension

Kyle Busch, already forced to miss two NASCAR races this weekend in Texas, also was fined $50,000 and given a stern warning by NASCAR on Monday.

In announcing the fine, NASCAR also placed Busch on probation until Dec. 31 and took the unusual step of saying that if Busch made another overly aggressive move this year that the sanctioning body deemed "detrimental to stock car racing or to NASCAR" or "disruptive to the orderly conduct of an event," then Busch "will be suspended indefinitely from NASCAR."

NASCAR's premier Sprint Cup Series has two more races this season: At Phoenix this Sunday and at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway on Nov. 20.

Busch, 26, got into hot water Friday night when he shoved championship contender Ron Hornaday Jr. into the wall during a caution period at a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Busch acknowledged that it was retaliation after the two had banged into each other earlier in the race. NASCAR then took the rare step of parking Busch, prohibiting him from driving in the second-level Nationwide Series race Saturday and the Cup race Sunday.

Busch, who drives the No. 18 Toyota in the Cup series for the team led by NFL Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibbs, then made a public apology in which he said "I accept their punishment and take full responsibility for my actions."

Michael McDowell drove for Busch in the Cup race and finished 33rd in the 43-car field. Busch watched the race while sitting atop McDowell's pit box.

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: Kyle Busch watches the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday. Credit: Randy Holt / Associated Press

Kyle Busch, forced to miss NASCAR races, apologizes for retaliation

After being forced to sit out two NASCAR races this weekend, including Sunday's Sprint Cup Series race in Texas, Kyle Busch issued an open letter of apology that said "I have no one to blame but myself."

Busch initially defended his actions after he intentionally wrecked Ron Hornaday Jr. after the two earlier banged fenders in a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday night.

But after NASCAR penalized him by taking the rare step of prohibiting Busch from driving in Sunday's Cup race and in the second-level Nationwide Series race on Saturday, Busch apologized to his Joe Gibbs Racing team, his fans, his sponsors and to Hornaday.

"I understand why I was taken out of the car for the rest of the weekend," Busch stated in his letter. "NASCAR officials had to act, and I accept their punishment and take full responsibility for my actions."

Denny Hamlin, Busch's Gibbs teammate, drove for Busch in the Nationwide race and finished second to winner Trevor Bayne. Michael McDowell is driving for Busch on Sunday.

Busch, 26, is a lightning rod among NASCAR fans, an aggressive, excellent and daring driver who also can be volatile and temperamental. He routinely draws a loud mix of boos and cheers in pre-race introductions, and his nicknames include "Rowdy" and "Wild Thing."

Busch, who was seventh in the Cup standings entering Sunday's race, seemed to mature somewhat this season and be less prone to risky, unwarranted maneuvers on the track. But "this was certainly a step backward," Busch acknowledged.

He added: "I know my long-term actions will have more of a bearing than anything I say right now."

ALSO:

NASCAR benches Kyle Busch for Sprint Cup, Nationwide races

Danica Patrick will race in Daytona 500 as part of her Sprint Cup campaign

NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick is safe after hard jet landing in Key West

--Jim Peltz

Photo: NASCAR driver Kyle Busch on Oct. 21 at Talladega Superspeedway. Credit: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images