USA TODAY International Edition
Busch’s new ride
Stewart- Haas Racing has signed Kurt Busch, left, to drive the team’s fourth car in 2014,
Kurt Busch has found his next home — and it could be a powerhouse.
Less than two years after Busch’s NASCAR future seemed in jeopardy following his release from Penske Racing, the 2004 Cup champion has signed a deal with Stewart- Haas Racing to drive a fourth car next year. He will join three- time Cup champion and co- owner Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and Danica Patrick.
“I put ink on the deal,” Busch told USA TODAY Sports via text message. “This is the kind of situation every driver wants to be in, and I’m grateful to Gene Haas and Haas Automation for providing me this opportunity.
“Stewart has been very supportive, and we are full steam ahead. With all that said, my focus still remains on the present and trying to achieve our Chase goal on the No. 78.”
Stewart- Haas called a news conference for 2 p. m. ET today to announce its expansion plans.
The validation of what had been the talk of the garage means one- car Furniture Row is looking for a driver.
Joe Garone, general manager of Furniture Row Racing, said in a statement Monday, “It was always our intention to extend Kurt’s contract. We made him an offer last week to continue as the driver of the No. 78 Chevrolet in 2014 and beyond. Though he did not accept our offer, we respect his decision and wish him future success. His driving skill and being a dedicated team player will always be appreciated at Furniture Row Racing.
“But for right now the main focus for Kurt and the team is to qualify for the Chase and contend for the 2013 Sprint Cup Series championship.”
Busch has six top- five finishes, 11 top- 10s and a pole position with Furniture Row this season. He’s ranked 12th in points with two races remaining before the standings are reset for the 10- race Chase for the Sprint Cup. The top 10 drivers plus two wild- card drivers from positions 11 to 20 with the most wins qualify.
Busch, a talented driver whose occasional outbursts have cost him in the public relations game, moves from one Chevrolet stable to another ( Stewart- Haas gets its engines and chassis from Hendrick Motorsports).
His arrival also could make for an emotional and sometimes explosive garage. Stewart, who is out for the rest of the season while recovering from a broken right leg suffered in a sprint car crash, is welcoming close friend Harvick in 2014. Stewart, who has been known to “goose” Harvick’s wife, DeLana, at races, also can be outspoken on and off the track. He and Joey Logano threw punches on pit road when Stewart took umbrage at Logano’s blocking strategy at Auto Club Speedway in March.
And Patrick, vying for rookie of the year, grabbed headlines at the start of the season when news of her relationship with fellow rookie Cup driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. broke. She became the first woman to win a Cup pole — for the Daytona 500, where she finished eighth. She’s a magnet for sponsors and the spotlight.
When the reports surfaced last week, it came as a surprise because Stewart said in mid- July that there was no money to fund another team and keep current driver Ryan Newman, who is losing his ride to Harvick in 2014.