2012 was one of the most disappointing seasons in Kyle Busch’s young career, earning just one win in the Sprint Cup Series, while coming home winless in both the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series for the first time in many years. 2013 looks to be much more promising for Busch, who will return to the Joe Gibbs Racing fold in two series, while racing part-time for his own team in the third.
As opposed to past seasons, when Busch routinely competed in close to or more than 70 races, Busch entered just 61 events in 2012, in efforts to “focus” on the Chase for the Sprint Cup. When Busch missed the cut by just three points, his schedule picked up in the other two series – and so did his on-track performance, posting one of the best records in the Chase.
In 2013, Busch will still be running his Kyle Busch Motorsports team, with Parker Kligerman behind the wheel in the Nationwide Series full-time and Joey Coulter in the Truck Series full-time; KBM will also field a second part-time Toyota Tundra for Busch and others. Busch takes the No. 54 and Monster Energy sponsorship to JGR in the Nationwide Series; Busch will run the majority of the races, with other drivers to be named soon.
Busch, who recently signed a long-term contract with JGR, is committed to winning a title with JGR. “I’m passionate about winning and that was a big factor in deciding to re-sign with Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Busch on the JGR website. “I think JGR gives me the best opportunity to win a championship in the Cup Series for M&M’s and Interstate Batteries. I know that everyone on our team is committed to that goal and will push towards making that a reality in 2013. I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to work with (crew chief) Adam Stevens in the Nationwide Series and put Monster Energy in Victory Lane where they belong.”
Kyle Busch statistics:
- Best Cup Series tracks (average finishes) – Richmond International Raceway (5.4 in 16 races), Kentucky Speedway (5.5 in two races), Watkins Glen International (9.0 in eight races)
- Worst Cup Series tracks (average finishes) – Homestead-Miami Speedway (23.1 in eight races), Talladega Superspeedway (22.1 in 16 races), Kansas Speedway (21.0 in 11 races)
- Most wins in Cup Series – Bristol Motor Speedway (five wins), Richmond (four wins)
Get ready for the 2013 season with JGR at joegibbsracing.com.
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