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In order to get a head start on the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Kurt Busch will take over the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet beginning at the October 13th Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The 2004 Sprint Cup champ had originally been announced to leave James Finch Racing and start the next season with Furniture Row. But the team announced, at Dover Speedway, pushing the agenda a little fasters.
“In order to get a jump on developing a driver/team chemistry for the 2013 season, both Kurt and Furniture Row Racing felt that this was an important move to make happen,” said Garone. “While the goal of this decision is to better prepare for 2013, the main focus for the final six races remains the same and that is to reach a competitive level.”
Garone also stated that Smith's Furniture Row Racing contract, which expires at the end of the season, will be fully honoured.
Busch said that he was eager to get the transition started as soon as possible.
“We want to come out of the chute next year ready and raring to go,” said Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. “Driving the Furniture Row Chevrolet in the final six races of this season will obviously give us a big advantage in our preparations for 2013. The energy level is quite high and I can't wait to get out to Colorado to meet all the guys and begin this exciting new journey.”
But Busch was also defensive when asked if this was a lateral move.
“Barney Visser (team owner), this program, they are committed. Their alliance with Richard Childress (Racing), it's there and it's solid. That's why, when you say a lateral move, I don't like it so much. It's a slap in the face to Barney Visser, but everybody in this garage area knows... if you have a hard card (a NASCAR annual credential), you know the differences in the teams.”
The 2004 Sprint Cup champ had originally been announced to leave James Finch Racing and start the next season with Furniture Row. But the team announced, at Dover Speedway, pushing the agenda a little fasters.
“In order to get a jump on developing a driver/team chemistry for the 2013 season, both Kurt and Furniture Row Racing felt that this was an important move to make happen,” said Garone. “While the goal of this decision is to better prepare for 2013, the main focus for the final six races remains the same and that is to reach a competitive level.”
Garone also stated that Smith's Furniture Row Racing contract, which expires at the end of the season, will be fully honoured.
Busch said that he was eager to get the transition started as soon as possible.
“We want to come out of the chute next year ready and raring to go,” said Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. “Driving the Furniture Row Chevrolet in the final six races of this season will obviously give us a big advantage in our preparations for 2013. The energy level is quite high and I can't wait to get out to Colorado to meet all the guys and begin this exciting new journey.”
But Busch was also defensive when asked if this was a lateral move.
“Barney Visser (team owner), this program, they are committed. Their alliance with Richard Childress (Racing), it's there and it's solid. That's why, when you say a lateral move, I don't like it so much. It's a slap in the face to Barney Visser, but everybody in this garage area knows... if you have a hard card (a NASCAR annual credential), you know the differences in the teams.”