Kurt Busch signs five-year extension with Penske

Published 3:30 pm Saturday, April 24, 2010

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Kevin Harvick once referred to Kurt Busch as “Rubber head,” a derisive reference inspired by his rival’s then-sponsor at Roush-Fenway Racing.

Seven years and several career twists for each later, Busch could try a snappy comeback, but he appears to just be thankful to have a secure job in an extremely unsure NASCAR climate.

Busch, 31, announced on Friday that his team option with Penske Racing was exercised this week and a new five-year extension will keep the 2004 series champion with Penske until at least 2016.

Shell/Pennzoil will leave Richard Childress Racing and Harvick’s No. 29 Chevrolet in 2011 to move to Penske for a large-scope business opportunity with Penske’s sprawling automotive empire, and Busch’s new No. 22 Dodge. That makes Busch, currently driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge, envied in a sport still adapting to a bleaker sponsor landscape.

Busch, who won his 21st career race at Atlanta in March, said he hoped to race another “10-to-15 years” with Penske.

“This program presented itself — and it happened at such a quick time frame that it didn’t allow time to develop any further,” said Busch, who enters Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway ninth in points. “It was almost like, ‘Hey, you going with me? I’ve got to go make this happen.”

Harvick’s future remains uncertain. A free agent at the end of the season, the two-time Nationwide champion and 10-year Sprint Cup veteran said Friday he’d discussed a contract extension with owner Childress several times in the past few months. He said he was happy with a car that has him fourth in driver points, but didn’t imply a new deal was close.

“It’s not any different than what we would normally do at this particular time,” he said of negotiations. “Cars are running well, everybody is communicating well.”

Harvick said he didn’t “particularly agree” with the process that led Shell/Pennzoil away but understood it. Penske jumped into the sweepstakes for Shell/Pennzoil late, according to team president Tim Cindric, eventually wielding its leverage with NASCAR and IndyCar teams.

Pennzoil wanted Busch, which Penske cleared with Miller Lite officials with the understanding that 26-year-old Brad Keselowski would become its new pitchman in the No. 2 Dodge.

While Busch and Keselowski now have full 36-race sponsorships, teammate Sam Hornish Jr., is left priming the same dry well as Harvick as ExxonMobil leaves after this season. Mobil, which is also an official NASCAR sponsor, planned to run just “15-20 (races)” in 2011, Hornish Jr. said.

Hornish Jr., 30, who is 29th in points, said team officials want him back. Busch asserted “He will be driving for Penske next year.”

Team officials, stressing his need for a performance spike in his third full NASCAR season, have been supportive but noncommittal.

Hornish Jr., who won three open wheel titles for Penske and made the switch to NASCAR with great urging from his owner, is being realistic about his future.

His management team — which also represents Busch and Keselowski — is currently looking for sponsor opportunities with Penske, but he is open to leaving to stay in NASCAR.

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(c) 2010, The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.).

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