Phoenix Racing decides to keep Kurt Busch

Charlotte, N.C. (AP) — Kurt Busch will return to Phoenix Racing when his oneweek NASCAR suspension ends today.

Busch met Tuesday with team owner James Finch, and the duo agreed to move forward to this weekend’s race at Michigan International Speedway.

“At the end of the day, we are racers so we’re going racing together with Kurt and the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet,” Finch said in a statement.

Busch’s status with Finch seemed shaky following his one-week suspension for verbally abusing a media member. Finch indicated in several interviews his patience was being tested by the 2004 NASCAR champion.

Busch landed with Phoenix Racing in December after parting ways from Penske Racing because of a series of incidents mainly related to Busch’s temper. In signing to drive for the underfunded Finch, Busch said he hoped to “put the fun back in racing” this season while trying to rebuild his image.

His goal has always been to move back into a top-tier ride, and many believed he was a strong candidate for Joey Logano’s seat at Joe Gibbs Racing. Logano won Sunday’s race at Pocono while Busch was serving his suspension.

Busch has said nothing publicly in more than a week. He released a statement accepting his suspension, which was levied after he angrily replied to a question from a reporter for The Sporting News.

After he was suspended, Finch seemed to distance himself from the driver until Tuesday’s meeting.