Driver Spotlight: Kurt Busch (Preseason Addition)

Kurt Busch's 2014 Preview

By Richard Tix

Check out some past Driver Spotlight's

NASCAR Behind the Wall is going to tackle the older Busch brother next in the preseason addition of Driver Spotlight. Kurt Busch is one of the more interesting drivers in the Cup Series and this year once again has a very interesting storyline.

Kurt was brought in to Stewart-Haas Racing my Mr. Haas himself even after the team seemed confident that they would not expand to a four car team. In 2014 Kurt will join 2013 SHR members Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick, along with another newcomer Kevin Harvick.

Since being pushed out at Penske after the 2011 season, Kurt has yet to find his way back to the forefront of NASCAR again. Last season at Furniture Row Kurt made a valiant effort and finished the season with 11 top 5's and 16 top 10's but, for the second straight year Kurt Busch came up win less. In 2013 he was fast week to week but most races he seemed to run into mistakes or troubles that held him back.

That brings us to 2014, and Kurt Busch, for the first time in two seasons, will be back with a major team in NASCAR.  If we take a little walk down memory lane, some will remember that Kurt once had a streak of ten seasons with at least 1 win and that he also has won a NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship in 2004. Now he will have a big team that is getting some top notch equipment and funding to back him while he drives the #41 Chevy.

So the big question is, can Kurt Busch get back on top now that he is with SHR? I think without question 2014 will be a disappointment for Kurt if he does not get at least one win and makes a run at the Chase. Year one with a new team with a lot of personalities will be an interesting journey and will assure NASCAR fans that in one way or another Kurt Busch will be back in the main headlines, good or bad.

So what do you think? Let me know on Twitter. Will Kurt get back on track and get a win? A few? Will he make the Chase? Will the SHR team work this year or implode? Was he a one and done Champion? Let the Countdown to Daytona continue!

Also, take a look at the following articles. The first one is on Kurt and Kevin Harvick:

• SHR's Fresh Face's
• Driver Spotlight: Brad Keselowski
• Driver Spotlight: Denny Hamlin
• Daytona Preseason Thunder
• Daytona Preseason Thunder Day Two
• NASCAR World Top Stories: January
• 2014 NASCAR Paint Scheme's

That is it for this Spotlight. Take a peak at the past ones and be on the lookout for new ones to come before the season starts.