Monthly Archive for May, 2009

200 NASCAR victories for career looking possible for 24-year-old star

Geoff Burke / Getty Images Kyle Busch celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series race in Richmond, Va., on Saturday. View related photos

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updated 12:21 p.m. ET, Sun., May 3, 2009

RICHMOND, Va. – Kyle Busch raised a few eyebrows when he casually mentioned he’d like to collect 200 victories in his NASCAR career.

That’s a mighty big number, associated only with Richard Petty’s unreachable record of 200 Cup Series wins. It was once thought Jeff Gordon might challenge the mark, but he fell off the pace long ago and currently has 82.

But if Busch is flexible with the goal he revealed before this season, he’s got a shot at reaching Petty’s mark.

 

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With an asterisk, that is.

Busch's win Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway was the 50th of his career spanning NASCAR's top three series. It came on his 24th birthday, and Busch believes he could reach 200 NASCAR wins if he maintains his desire to race in every event possible.

"But I know the older I get I'll start slowing down some way," he said. "Hopefully I can achieve that goal. It would be sure nice to get that. I know it's not 200 Cup victories like Richard Petty has, but it will still be a phenomenal mark for me."

A mark few thought he could ever reach just two years ago. His talent level has never been questioned, but there's a reason Busch has often been called "Wild Thing."

He was ready for NASCAR when he was just 16, but an age minimum sent him back to the sidelines for a two-year wait. Once admitted to the big leagues, he came full of unbridled desire, fearlessness and a lack of maturity.

Busch pushed his cars beyond the limit, taking risks that often ended in a wad of crumpled sheet metal. He pouted when he didn't win and threw temper tantrums when things went against him. Team owner Rick Hendrick tried to tame the wild child, but finally cut him loose at the end of the 2007 season to make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

So Joe Gibbs Racing snapped him up, and Busch has steamrolled his way through NASCAR since. He won 21 races last season spanning the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series.