Busch awaits good news

Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000 | 9:45 a.m.

This could prove to be the biggest weekend of Kurt Busch's young racing career.

Or, it could prove to be just another race weekend.

Either way, the 21-year-old Las Vegas native isn't letting rumor and speculation about his future distract him from the task at hand -- which is racing in tonight's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Powerstroke 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

It has been speculated for weeks that Busch would be named this weekend to replace Chad Little as the driver of Roush Racing's John Deere Ford in NASCAR's Winston Cup Series for the 2001 season.

But as of Wednesday afternoon, an expected press conference had yet to be called and Busch said his focus was on tonight's truck race.

"It could happen or it could not happen (this weekend)," Busch said of an announcement regarding the Winston Cup ride. "My deal right now is racing the truck at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

"However, if they call me and need me somewhere, I'll jump through hoops to be there."

Busch, who has two wins and 11 top-10 finishes in 17 NCTS starts in his rookie season, said his conversations with team owner Jack Roush about his future have been limited.

"Really, nothing has been talked about," Busch said. "The only thing that has come across my desk is that Jack Roush stopped by ... and asked me 'What do you think about this decision?' It was one of those big-time decisions you can't really stall on; you've got to give him an answer right away.

"I said, 'I'm ready for it if you're ready for it.' That's the only conversation that I've had with the higher end of Roush Racing about racing in Winston Cup."

It has been rumored that Little may be contesting his release from Roush Racing, which takes effect at the end of this season, and that could be holding up the announcement that Busch will replace Little for the 2001 season.

As for speculation that Busch may run as many as five Winston Cup races later this season for Roush, Busch said "that hasn't been talked about."

Busch enters tonight's race, the 18th of 24 events on the NCTS schedule, fifth in points but only 71 points out of second place. He holds a 115-point lead over Carlos Contreras in the rookie of the year standings and has all but clinched that honor.