There is a rumor making the rounds that Kurt Busch, recently fired from the team of Roger Penske may land at Richard Petty Motorsports as the driver of the iconic number 43 car. Despite his attitude and antics, it seems like his driving ability is still a hot commodity as a few possible landing spots for Busch have been mentioned but the RPM deal is apparently the closest to happening. The report came from a Sirius/XM satellite radio show that cited a team official passing along the news.
The number 43 car is sponsored by Best Buy, the giant electronics store chain and the official from RPM, a guy names Robbie Loomis said that their team had talked to Best Buy about their feelings on having Busch drive the car with their livery on the sides. AJ Allmendinger drove the car during the 2011 season and would be replaced by Busch if all sides come to a deal to put him in the seat.
Interestingly enough, another team, the small budgeted Phoenix Racing has also been linked to Busch. The owner of that team, James Finch, was interviewed by a Florida newspaper and spun some awesome quotes regardin Busch’s attitude and reputation as a guy who doesn’t have a problem swearing at, calling out and demeaning his team speaking his mind when he feels that things are not going well.
Quoting the story from The News Herald: “I think it’s just being hot, having his ass beat,” Finch said of Busch’s antics. “He’s bad on the radio, cussing out his team. He’s got to get over all of that. Go in and cuss out your boss and see how far you get. That’s how you explain that (his dismissal from Penske Racing). Tell him all his s— is no good. Does that explain it?”
This guy seems like a pistol! If Busch were to drive for the Phoenix team it would be a big boost for their status and hopefully for their finances because this would be like going from one of the biggest and best funded teams on the NASCAR circuit to one of the most modest. It would do lots to restore his public image with the fans…untill he let his mouth run off the first time and took a few pot shots at the crew and team.
Like in all other professional sports, it seems people are willing to look past some giant personality flaws in the hopes of increased revenue and winning. It will be interesting to see where Busch ends up and what his attitude is like when he gets there.
Seems to me that if this rumor is true, then AJ Allmendinger will be getting shafted. RPM has a great talent in AJ; the 43 has done better with AJ @ the wheel than with nearly any other driver since Richard stopped piloting it.
What a slap in the face it would be to AJ to pull him and put Capt. Underpants in his place. Put Busch with James Finch for a while. Let him try his crap there and then see just how popular he REALLY is. I would LOVE to see Mr. Finch jerk a knot in Busch’s cocky tail!