Pages

Thursday, January 22, 2015

2015 Driver Spotlight Preview: Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch 2015 Season Preview


By Richard Tix


Lets start by stating the obvious, Kurt's 2014 season was a bit of a disappointment after such a strong 2013 campaign. Kurt had one of the best small team performances we have seen in awhile during the 2013 season and it looked like the 2014 move to SHR would only help put him back on the title map.

But, that never did happen. Some hope came when Kurt won at Martinsville after getting into a scuffle with Brad Keselowski early. In the past those kind of run ins end his day because he lets it get to him, but not in 2014. He fought past that and brought his beat up #41 Chevy to Victory Lane.

It was a great moment for him in 2014, but he didn't have many other moments during the season. Maybe it was the new team with SHR? Maybe it was added pressure while being on a big team? Maybe it was all of the issues going on with his ex-girlfriend and then the news that came out late in the season?

One way or another I feel like something had to be off during the season. At this point its too hard to know what it was and I don't think one person could tell you, but maybe Kurt. So with everything still swirling in his case with his ex-girlfriend lets move onto 2015 and the on track performance.

Year two with SHR will be a big one. After a down year like last season it will be important that he steps it back up. During this run with SHR, if he keeps putting up seasons like 2014 it maybe his last shot in NASCAR with a major team, so its important he gets back on the right foot.

Kurt has always had the talent to compete for titles on the Cup level, so will he bounce back in 2015?


Bold Predictions/2015 Season Expectations:
  • Kurt is in a position to notch a win or two every year with SHR. He has the car to do it, it will just be can he block out the distractions? I think he will bounce back in 2015, but I don't think it will be to the level of being a Championship favorite. I think he can get to 1-2 wins, 7-10 top 5's. and 16-18 top 10's. All of which would be an improvement on last season. I think he will still finish somewhere from 8-11th in points, though.


No comments:

Post a Comment