Kurt Busch to race in Southwest race at Phoenix

January 18, 2002
10:00 AM EST (1500 GMT)

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 97 Rubbermaid Ford in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, will return to his roots in the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series for one race only in Phoenix, Ariz. on Feb. 2. Busch will be racing for his old car owner, Craig Keough with Q Motorsports, in the No. 70 car sponsored by Star Nursery, the same car he raced in 1997 - 1999.

In 1997, Busch began his Southwest Tour career by starting in five races that season. In 1998, he ran a full schedule and captured the Southwest Tour Series Rookie-of-the-Year title with three top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

In 1999, he again raced a full schedule and delivered some phenomenal finishes, which led him to win the Southwest Tour Series Championship. His outstanding performance throughout the 1999 season is also what helped him get a ride with the notable Roush Racing organization.

Therefore, Busch has quite a history and affinity for the Southwest Tour, and is looking forward to returning to his roots for a race and hopes to be able to deliver a strong finish for the old team. "Craig Keough, the car owner of the No. 70 car is somebody who really helped propel me to where I am today," Busch said. "So, I am looking forward to being able to go back and hopefully bring the No. 70 Star Nursery car to victory lane.

"It is also a great opportunity for me to get more time on the racetrack. I will be racing at Phoenix International Raceway, and since that's one of the tracks we hit on the Cup circuit it can only be of benefit to me down the road.

"I'm really ready to get back to racing, so being able to hit the racetrack a week before Daytona speedweeks begin is definitely going to get me in the right frame of mind, and help me mentally prepare for what's ahead in 2002."