The 2012 Sam’s Town 300 proved difficult for Busch, after starting the race from a 20th-place qualifying position, Busch worked his way through the field, only to end up in an on-track accident that relegated his previous Kyle Busch Motorsports team to a 33rd-place finish.
Although in nine NNS starts Busch has not won at LVMS, expectations are higher this year for the newly-formed team and veteran driver, who already have one 2013 season victory under their belt. Nothing would be greater though, than for Busch to bring home another win for sponsor partner Monster Energy, at the driver’s home track, in only his third start realigned with the JGR Nationwide Series program.
Kyle Busch, Driver of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:
How do you feel coming back to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this year, considering your finish in last year’s event?
“As long as I don’t wreck, I’ll be okay, because I have wrecked there every year. I don’t need to wreck; I just have to make it to the checkered flag. One year I had a flat tire, another year I was making a bold move to the finish line and wrecked…I don’t need to show my rookie stripes again, for the third time in a row this year.”
Do you prepare differently going into a race weekend at a track that you grew up around?
“Not really. It’s like any other race weekend in terms of preparation with the team. Cool thing here is that I know the city and I still have friends in the area, so it’s nice to give them the opportunity to come out and see us race.”
What have you been doing this week?
“We have spent a little time at Dumont Dunes (Calif.) this week. I try to get out there once a year and kick the sand around a bit. A group of guys go out and get the sand rail car ready for me. It’s a good way to kick back, relax and have some fun before Samantha and I travel into Las Vegas.”
Adam Stevens, Crew Chief of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:
How are the team’s spirits coming off your first win together last week in Phoenix?
“We got off to a fine start last weekend and look to carry that momentum with us to Vegas (Nev.). Las Vegas Motor Speedway is obviously the first of the intermediate tracks on the schedule. NASCAR has given us extra sets of practice tires and extra practice time to work through it. It’s going to be really important to take full advantage of the extra time to make sure our intermediate program is as strong as it can be.”
Do you think another win could come as early as this week?
“JGR has had fast cars here but has never been able to win on the Nationwide Series side. This track is unique in that it is quite bumpy and extremely fast. Often we hear drivers complain about, ‘loose exit.’ With high speeds, bumps and a tendency to get loose on exit, Vegas can turn a good day into a bad day very quickly. There is added pressure here being Kyle’s hometown. We sure would like to taste victory again, but this week’s track will challenge us.”
Notes of Interest:
- Loop Data Statistics over the past eight races at LVMS, record Busch first in: Highest Pass Differential (36), Highest Green Flag Passes (203), Highest # Fastest Laps (127, 10.4%), Highest # Races (8), second-highest Laps in Top 15 (916, 56.6%) and second-highest Laps Led (228, 14.1%).
- Crew Chief Adam Stevens’ LVMS statistics include two races (Martin ’12 and Hamlin ’11), zero wins, one top-five finish, two top-10 finishes, zero poles and 72 laps led.
-All-time winningest driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with 52 victories
-Completed the 2012 season with one pole in each of the last nine years
-Completed the 2011 season with at least one win in each of the last eight years
-2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Owner’s Champion Driver for JGR (a record 13-win season)
-2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver’s Championship and Owner’s Championship with JGR
-2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Owner’s Champion Driver for JGR
-2004 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year
What are fans saying about Kyle on Social Media sites?
Facebook: Kyle Busch (126,781+ followers)
Eddi Tuwairua-Siztus Nice win in Phoenix Kyle (March 4)
Chris Belding OMG Kyle Busch is the best! And my kids say HI Kyle! (March 4)
Sue Reid Cool helmet Kyle! (March 4)
Kenny Mason That’s the way to smoke the competition! (March 3)
Patricia Listello That’s the way to get the season going! (March 3)
Hannah Blankenship Woo woo you go Kyle! I hope you win the race! Go Go Go! (March 3)
Twitter: @KyleBusch (313,400+ followers)
@JDK3350 Kyle Busch is of course my early favorite to win @LVMotorSpeedway (March 5)
@A_R_G_14 I love Kyle Busch (March 4)
Kyle’s preferred Monster Energy drink flavor:
Original Monster Energy Green
About Monster Beverage Corporation:
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy refuses to acknowledge the traditional and the disingenuous. Monster always supports the scene and the sport. Whether it be motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MotoGP, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians symbolize. Much more than a drink, it’s a way of life lived by our athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Beverage Corporation – including all of its drinks – at www.monsterenergy.com and Facebook.com/MonsterEnergy.
Source: Joe Gibbs Racing / Kyle Busch Motorsports Press Release
The article Kyle Busch 2013 NNS Sam’s Town 300 Race Preview is from Catchfence.
Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2013/nationwide/03/05/kyle-busch-2013-nns-sams-town-300-race-preview/
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