Expecting Fast Results on Newly Paved Track

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 12, 2012) – For the sixth time this year, Kurt Busch prepares to climb into the seat of his brother’s No. 54 Monster Energy Camry, this time for the Alliance Truck Parts 250 from a newly paved and anticipated fast Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn. The elder Busch brother, who has been successful at the track, nestled in the Irish Hills of Michigan, is looking to build upon a string of strong runs for the upstart NASCAR Nationwide Series team.

Busch has two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories at the two-mile fast track, visiting Victory Lane in August of 2007 and June of 2003. The Las Vegas native started sixth, led 36 laps but was relegated to a 21st-place finish after being involved in a late accident, in his lone Nationwide Series start in 2006. As a rookie in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Busch led two laps and brought home a runner-up finish at Michigan in 2000.

Busch isn’t the only Monster Energy team member with a positive track record at the historic Michigan facility. Crew chief Mike Beam has earned, over this career, one pole and led laps across all three top-tier NASCAR Series at MIS. Beam was the winning crew chief in last year’s NNS race and also registered Truck Series wins in 2009 and 2007.

The Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) chassis under Busch will be the same car raced at two other intermediate-size tracks this season, Auto Club Speedway, in Fontana, Calif. and Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. The No. 54 Camry achieved eighth-place finishes at both tracks with Kyle at Fontana and Kurt at Darlington. The young Nationwide Series team has reworked the car and is ready to tackle the two-mile newly paved track which is expected to produce high speeds and make for exciting racing conditions.

Kurt Busch, Driver of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:

How do you feel about the No. 54 car at Michigan International Speedway?

“It’s a little bit of an unknown, considering the track’s new surface. I know one thing, the track will be fast and I feel we’ll be ‘wide open’—I’m looking forward to it.”

Besides tackling the new surface, what are you looking forward to this weekend?

“I enjoy racing in the Nationwide Series and with my brother’s team. I’ve seen how we have progressed and know we are right on the edge of pulling off another win together. I’m ready to go for it!”

Mike Beam, Crew Chief of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:

Thoughts on racing a newly paved Michigan International Speedway?

“Going to Michigan is a big race for us and in how we are progressing. With the new pavement there are so many unknowns, but I feel we are prepared for this track. The secret will be to have the least amount of aero drag and still have enough down force to help the vehicle handle. We were in the wind tunnel last week and have a lot of options for this car, which is exciting.”

You mentioned the level of progression for this young team, what are your expectations for the middle of the race season?

“Hopefully, we can get back to Victory Lane. I think it’s realistic. Everyone is working hard and together as a team. We have been close the last couple of weeks and now we need to go to the next level. Being associated with teams that have won in the ‘Motor City,’ I know how important this race is. This KBM team will give it our best and limit our mistakes, so we should have a good race. I know Kurt will bring his A-Game and it will be fun!”

Kurt Busch’s No. 54 Monster Energy Camry:

Chassis KBM-006: KBM will unload car #006, previously raced at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. and at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. The team earned eighth-place finishes at both intermediate tracks. The backup machine is one that is frequently on standby, Chassis KBM-007.

Notes of Interest:

• Crew Chief Mike Beam’s Michigan International Speedway totals include 40 races (33 NSCS, two NNS and five NCWTS), three wins (one NNS ’11, two NCWTS ’09 and ‘07), three poles (one in each series), 526 laps led, eight top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.

• Loop Data statistics at Michigan International Speedway in the Nationwide Series over the past seven races rank Kurt Busch first among drivers in Percentage of Laps Led (28.1%) and Average Quality Passes (46).

• With one start on the two-mile tri-oval in the NNS, Busch maintains a Top 10 Driver Rating (Eighth) with an Average Start of 6.0 and Average Finish of 21.0.

• Behind only his brother in the standings, Busch ranks second fastest on restarts at a speed of 168.678 mph.

• With a fourth-place finish at Dover (Del.) International Speedway, the Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 54 NNS entry remains ninth in the Series Owner’s Point Standings, 89 points out of first place through 12 races completed.

• 2012 season statistics for Kyle Busch Motorsports’ new NNS team include: 12 starts, one win, five top-five finishes, seven top-10 finishes, zero poles and 164 laps led.

• Kurt Busch’s win at Richmond International Raceway was KBM’s first in the Nationwide Series and 17th NASCAR victory as a company; the team has 16 Truck Series wins in 71 races since debuting in 2010.

• Kurt Busch will remain as driver of the No. 54 Monster Energy Camry at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on June 23rd.

• 24 Career Sprint Cup Series victories and 15 poles, including one win in each of last 10 seasons

• Four Career NNS victories: Richmond (’12), Watkins Glen (‘11 & ‘06) and Texas (‘06)

• 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Shootout at Daytona Winner

• Four-time qualifier of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship

• 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Race Winner

• 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion, first to win in “Chase for the Cup” points format

• Hunting, golf, skeet shooting, being outdoors, watching Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears and supporting the Armed Forces Foundation