NEW YORK — Kyle Busch has been known to enjoy New York City and the ample opportunities it offers young, rich superstars.
And after a dream regular season, the kid who has seemingly won everything this year had plenty of reason to run wild during NASCAR’s two-day tour through the city to promote the upcoming Chase for the championship.
Instead, the celebration seemed uncharacteristically subdued for Busch, the Las Vegas driver who usually has no trouble finding the latest hot spots. He did his media obligations and squeezed in shopping and sightseeing with his girlfriend, but bowed out when the party roared into the early morning hours.
“I’ve been low-key all season,” he insisted.
Maybe. But isn’t New York your kind of town?
“If I come back here in December celebrating a championship, I’ll tear it up,” he said Thursday morning.
That’s a promise Busch has 10 long weeks to try to fulfill. He led the Sprint Cup Series points standings for most of the season, building a cushy lead behind eight victories in NASCAR’s top division. It ensured him the top seed in the Chase, which starts Sunday in New Hampshire.
All bets are off from here on out, though, as any one of 12 drivers can win the championship Busch has been chasing all season long. The title is up for grabs, and Busch will face stiff competition from two-time defending champion (and former teammate) Jimmie Johnson, as well as rivals Carl Edwards and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Busch isn’t even immune from his own teammates beating him: Both Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart are in the Chase, giving Joe Gibbs Racing three chances to win the title. So it’s understanding — albeit a bit surprising — that Busch wants to keep things quiet and focus on the Chase.
And who could blame him? New Hampshire International Speedway isn’t exactly a great track for Busch and the No. 18 team. He was 25th there in July, then took the same car to California and struggled there, too.
“We’re not taking the same car back this weekend,” he said. “That’s a show car now.”
Footnote.
Ron Hornaday Jr., the defending NASCAR Craftsman Trucks champion who is second in this year’s standings, admitted using testosterone for more than a year before it was added to the sport’s banned list.
Hornaday, 50, told ESPN he received testosterone and HGH from December 2004 to January 2006.
“I couldn’t see a difference,” he said. “That’s why I stopped.”
The Associated Press
This weekend
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCKS
What: Camping World RV Rental 200 at Loudon, N.H.
TV: Saturday (Speed Channel, 12:30 p.m.)
Race distance: 211.6 miles, 200 laps
NASCAR SPRINT CUP
What: Sylvania 300 at Loudon, N.H.
TV: Sunday (ABC, 11 a.m.)
Race distance: 317.4 miles, 300 laps
FORMULA ONE
What: Italian Grand Prix at Monza
TV: Sunday (Speed Channel, 6 a.m.)
Race distance: 190.747 miles, 53 laps
NHRA
What: Carolinas Nationals at Concord, N.C.
TV: Sunday (5 p.m. tape)
