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Kurt Busch heads to Dover for 200 lap Nationwide race

Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM)

Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch

Action Sports Photography

KURT BUSCH
Brings Monster Energy to the "Monster Mile"

Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch

Photo by: Action Sports Photography

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2012) - Kurt Busch returns to the wheel of the No. 54 Toyota machine this Saturday at Dover (Del.) International Speedway, nicknamed the "Monster Mile," known to be tough on drivers and equipment. Busch and the Monster Energy program are prepared for the challenge of a 200-lap event and are ready to earn their second win of the season from within the Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) camp.

The 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion has one NASCAR Nationwide Series start at the short track, back in 2006 when he led 13 laps and placed third. In his fifth start this season as KBM's Nationwide Series driver, Busch will attempt to add a victory to his resume at Dover, which to date includes one win from each of the other premier NASCAR series, the Sprint Cup (2011) and Camping World Truck (2000) series. The Truck series win came from the pole and was Busch's first series start at the one-mile oval.

Like Busch, team crew chief Mike Beam has experienced success on the concrete short track across multiple series. Beam has four total victories, one each in the Sprint Cup (1990) and Camping World Truck (2006) series, and his previous team swept the Nationwide Series races there last season. Both driver and crew chief are eager for the "The Monster Mile" challenge and look forward to bringing home another victory, this time together with sponsor partner Monster Energy - fitting for the effort at Dover.

Kurt Busch, Driver of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:

What is your goal going into the "Monster Mile" this weekend with the NNS team? "My goal is to win. I really like this race track and I am comfortable working with Beam (Mike, crew chief) to set the car up in a way that will be responsive."

"This track actually holds my favorite memories of Cale Yarborough and Dale Earnhardt. My first time on the "Monster Mile," in fact, I was unsure about holding the pedal down going into the turn for a qualifying lap, but I made it stick. Next thing I know that big arm was around my neck and Earnhardt was telling me, 'I thought you were never going to lift off the gas.' I qualified 10th in my first Sprint Cup Series start there and getting the nod from Dale let me know I had 'made it.'"

Mike Beam, Crew Chief of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:

Thoughts on racing one-mile Dover, after a successful mile-and-a-half run at Charlotte? "For Dover, we'll have a new aero package design and front geometry package here after reworking the Las Vegas car from earlier in the season. I have always enjoyed racing Dover and I had the opportunity to win both 2011 races there, so hopefully we can do the same with Kurt and this Monster Energy team."

Kurt Busch's No. 54 Monster Energy Camry:

Chassis KBM-003: KBM will unload car #003, raced earlier this season by team owner Kyle Busch at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway. Due to a wreck, the Toyota machine suffered a 33rd-place finish and has been rebuilt for this week's Dover event. The backup machine for this weekend's No. 54 team is one that is frequently on standby, Chassis KBM-007.

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