Due for a Superspeedway Win
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 3, 2012) – In February, Kyle Busch brought his young team to the ‘Super Bowl’ of race tracks and showed the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) that the No. 54 team was open for business. Despite a 24th starting position, the Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) owner-driver wheeled his machine into contention until a last lap accident caused the team to record their first NNS DNF, finishing 18th. Crew Chief Mike Beam then brought a new chassis to Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway where Busch was able to showcase his group’s abilities, again competing for the win on the final lap of the race, but ultimately finishing in second place to a competitor with familiar colors, the No. 18 of Joe Gibbs Racing.
The last points-race win for Busch at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (DIS) was in July of 2008, accomplishing first place in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Before that, the Las Vegas native earned victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series during the summer event of 2007. In February of 2012, Busch nearly spotted the checkered flag as he approached the frontstretch, only to be hit from behind and ultimately wrecked, ending his chances to bring the black No. 54 machine all the way home to victory. This time Busch is due for a win on the historic 2.5-mile Florida track, and the team will bring back chassis #010 from the Talladega run.
So the winningest driver in the series will try again to earn his ninth consecutive season Nationwide series win and that first victory driving his own No. 54 Monster Energy machine. It has been 22 races since the series veteran has won a Nationwide event, last recorded at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway in 2011. Busch looks to notch his 52nd career Nationwide Series win this week and in Monster Energy style, by mastering the high banks of Daytona.
Kyle Busch, Driver of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:
You were so close to victory in the season start at Daytona, then Talladega in the spring, what are your expectations for this Daytona run?
“When we came here in February, it was about seeing what the team had, how our equipment had been built and whether we would be competitive. Although not the finish we hoped for, the February event showed us we can be there at the end and be battling for the win.
That was 15 weeks ago now and we certainly have proven that we are growing and becoming stronger with each track we go to. I was close to the win at Talladega and Joey got me there at the line. I’d like the chance again to bring this chassis home first -- it would be a great accomplishment for the whole team and for Monster Energy.”
Mike Beam, Crew Chief of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:
This chassis was run in Talladega and you earned a second-place finish with it. What are your expectations for it with Kyle this time at Daytona?
“I’m excited to get back to Daytona with Kyle and have the car there that ran so well at Talladega. We have had an opportunity to win at Daytona and Talladega this season, where in both races Kyle has been up front on the white-flag lap, so hopefully we can get the win this week.
I don’t know how we will qualify, but I have always worried more about racing than I have qualifying. When the car drives good and is secure with someone pushing you, and we have the best restrictor plate driver in the car, hopefully we can give him the car to win and limit our mistakes on pit road and have a good race.”
Kyle Busch’s No. 54 Monster Energy Camry:
Chassis KBM-010: KBM will unload superspeedway car #010, first raced at Talladega (Ala.) Speedway where the team accomplished their second top-five finish of the season, with a second-place result. The backup machine is Chassis KBM-004, which previously traveled to Daytona and Talladega as a second team car.
Notes of Interest:
Crew chief Mike Beam’s Daytona statistics include 43 races, one win (NCWTS), seven top-five and 13 top-10 finishes, five poles and 257 laps led.
In 15 races over the last seven years, Busch holds the record currently for highest amount of Laps in the Top 15 (1,363) and highest amount of Total Laps Led (247). In addition he leads the Pass Differential at 118 with 1,577 Green Flag Passes made.
Busch has earned 23 career poles over his nine seasons competing in the Nationwide Series, including at least one each season from 2004 to 2011. His lone pole award at the famed superspeedway came in the 2010 February race.
With a second-place finish at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, the Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 54 NNS entry gained one position to eighth in the Series Owner’s Point Standings, 71 points out of first place through 15 races completed.
After recording only one top-10 finish over its first six starts, the No. 54 Monster Energy Camry has registered one win (Richmond International Raceway), seven top-five and nine straight top-10 finishes.
The No. 54 Monster Energy manufacturer, Toyota, leads all major brands in the Manufacturers’ Points Summary this season in the Nationwide series.
Kyle Busch has led 91 (3.35%) of 2,718 laps raced in the 2012 NNS season.
Fans can follow @KyleBusch on Twitter and use #KB250 to earn a chance to win his M&M’s firesuit. More Detail at KyleBusch.com/KB250
Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 54 2012 NNS Season Summary:
| Date | Site | Driver | Start | Finish | Laps | Laps Led | Status | Owner Pts/Pos | Winnings |
| 2/25 | Daytona | Kyle | 24th | 19th | 119 | 2 | Accident | 27th/18th | $44,445 |
| 3/3 | Phoenix | Kyle | 14th | 11th | 200 | 0 | Running | 60/13th | $13,875 |
| 3/10 | Las Vegas | Kyle | 20th | 33rd | 127 | 0 | Running | 70/15th | $15,075 |
| 3/17 | Bristol | Kyle | 8th | 17th | 299 | 40 | Running | 99/15th | $19,025 |
| 3/24 | Fontana | Kyle | 15th | 8th | 150 | 13 | Running | 136/14th | $18,840 |
| 4/13 | Texas | Kurt | 6th | 30th | 187 | 0 | Overheat | 150/15th | $16,165 |
| 4/27 | Richmond | Kurt | 10th | 1st | 250 | 68 | Running | 197/12th | $40,100 |
| 5/5 | Talladega | Kyle | 12th | 2nd | 122 | 36 | Running | 241/11th | $40,100 |
| 5/11 | Darlington | Kurt | 4th | 8th | 151 | 3 | Running | 278/11th | $12,545 |
| 5/20 | Iowa | Kurt | 31st | 5th | 250 | 2 | Running | 318/11th | $25,225 |
| 5/26 | Charlotte | Kyle | 12th | 3rd | 200 | 0 | Running | 359/9th | $31,150 |
| 6/2 | Dover | Kurt | 9th | 4th | 200 | 0 | Running | 399/9th | $20,525 |
| 6/16 | Michigan | Kurt | 15th | 3rd | 125 | 0 | Running | 440/9th | $22,350 |
| 6/23 | Road America | Kurt | 22nd | 8th | 55 | 0 | Running | 476/9th | $13,275 |
| 6/29 | Kentucky | Kurt | 8th | 2nd | 200 | 0 | Running | 589/8th | $51,825 |
| 7/6 | Daytona | Kyle | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
What are fans saying about Kyle and Kurt on Social Media sites?
Facebook: Kyle Busch (112,829+ followers)
Michael Stugart Good job, like to see you in winner's circle and do the bow, go Kyle (July 2)
Matthew Knight Its funny drivers are so popular because of their last name (Earnhardt) or their car number (3) what happened to earning your fans like Kurt and Kyle have (June 30)
Ron Hayes Like seeing the Monster up front (June 30)
Leon House Great run by Kurt/KBM/Monster... a winning combination! (June 30)
Mark De Monbrun Good Job Kurt & Team. . . I listened in on your radio and that car was a handful. How you brought it home 2nd is beyond me. And. . . Kudos for Calmness :-) (June 30)
Twitter: @KyleBusch (195,900+ followers) - Tweet #KB250 and WIN his FIRESUIT!
@volsmanofnc Kyle Busch is the man (July 3)
@gimpboyo I do follow Kyle Busch I've even tweeted with him a couple of times. I like him. He's my sister's fav she loves KB. (July 3)
@Kiana_Sleight: @KyleBusch working my tail off to get u followers!!! Good luck this weekend!!!(June 30)
@KyleBusch: Congrats to @Nascar_Jason_@shawn_pinks and @druspics for being leading contributors to the #KB250 autograph hats coming to ya. (June 30)
Kyle's preferred Monster Energy drink flavor:
Original Green
