Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Busch’s sponsor unhappy with antics

Friday, Aug. 29, 2003 | 9:20 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

Apparently, the folks at Newell Rubbermaid -- the primary sponsor of Kurt Busch's NASCAR Winston Cup car -- don't subscribe to the theory that any publicity is good publicity.

Representatives of Newell Rubbermaid on Wednesday met with Busch and Roush Racing officials to "discuss the company's expectations for its sponsorship of the No. 97 car after recent incidents and comments from the Winston Cup series driver," the company said in a release issued Thursday.

Busch has been at the center of attention in the series, and has drawn the ire of fellow drivers and fans alike, since he was involved in both an on-track incident and off-track altercation with fellow driver Jimmy Spencer Aug. 17 at Michigan International Speedway.

Last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, fans loudly booed Busch both before and after he won the race in which he spun out fan favorite Sterling Marlin.

"We arranged the discussion with Roush Racing and Kurt to express our disappointment, more closely align what we expect from the team in the future as well as to confirm our commitment to them," Eric Pinkham, director of corporate event marketing for Newell Rubbermaid, said.

"Our relationship with Kurt and Roush Racing is strong. We will be taking an active role with Roush Racing in helping Kurt get guidance and working closely in developing a mentoring program. This program includes scheduled meetings with Roush teammates and veteran competitors so Kurt can learn from their years of racing experience -- both on and off the track."

"Kurt has the potential to be one of the best and his approach to the fans, the media, other drivers and his sponsors will demonstrate that fact," team owner Jack Roush said. "Rubbermaid, Sharpie and all the brands at Newell Rubbermaid are world class and they should expect a world-class ambassador in Kurt Busch.

"Together with (his sponsors), we will work with Kurt to improve his relationships with the fans, the media and his competitors. There is a lot to be done, but I know Kurt will step up and put his best foot forward."

Busch responded to his sponsor's concerns by issuing his own statement Thursday afternoon.

"It is obvious to me that I handled the situation poorly," Busch said. "I appreciate that Jack Roush, Roush Racing and Newell Rubbermaid are committed to helping me grow and improve. I have committed to do my best to uphold the proud name of Rubbermaid and Roush Racing on and off the track. With that in mind, I will continue to compete on a week-to-week basis in a manner that will make my sponsors, team and fans proud.

"I know very well that words are cheap and that my sincerity and commitment will be judged by what I do in the weeks and months ahead. I am going to work very hard with the help of my sponsors, Roush and my teammates to live up to the promises I am making today. I truly hope all racing fans will support me as well."

A day after announcing he had signed a multiyear contract to replace Gil de Ferran with Penske Racing beginning in 2004, Hornish said driving for the legendary car owner was a dream come true -- literally.

"I remember toward the beginning of my go-karting career, I remember having a dream that I had a meeting with Roger and Rick Mears and Danny Sullivan and they wanted me to come drive with them," Hornish said. "When I woke up in the morning, I thought there's no way that will ever happen."

So when Penske opened talks with Hornish in July, after de Ferran told the team he would retire at the end of this season, Hornish said he never seriously considered any other offers -- including those to go NASCAR racing.

"I had a lot of options and, you know, when everything came together being able to do the Penske deal, that was what I was going to do," he said. "I have been a big fan of a lot of drivers that came through that (team) and I guess I am a fan of the team.

"When I got that opportunity, I felt that it is only right. Everything that I ever dreamed about doing as a child and a young adult was to drive for that team so I figured I couldn't turn it down."

In Penske Racing, Hornish said he would have his best chance of achieving another childhood dream: winning the Indianapolis 500. In addition to 118 races wins and 11 national championships, Penske Racing owns a record 13 Indianapolis 500 victories.

"Panther Racing gave me an opportunity at the end of 2000 just to come in and try to show what I can do," Hornish said. "I feel that I made the best that I could with that opportunity. While coming into my new situation, there's no excuses now; if I can't win the Indianapolis 500 in the program that I am in, I am probably not going to do it."

"If the logistics, sponsorship and engineering components can be put together, the team will attempt to qualify for the 2004 Indianapolis 500," said Carl Haas, who co-owns the team with actor Paul Newman. "We need some test time and don't want to take on this challenge without adequate preparation."

NHR driver Bruno Junqueira would handle the testing duties and the team said it likely would do the testing at California Speedway in Fontana. Newman/Haas Racing also fields a car in CART for rookie driver Sebastien Bourdais.

"I am excited to have this opportunity with PK Racing," Salo said. "I enjoyed the test at Mid-Ohio and have been getting to know the team since then. It is a good group, and I think we will work very well together. Street racing is my favorite, so I am looking forward to the upcoming events at Denver and Miami."

Papis, who made seven starts for PK Racing this season as a replacement for rookie Patrick Lemarie, parted ways with the team after last weekend's race in Montreal.

In addition to winning three truck championships for Hendrick Motorsports, Sprague ranks second in series victories with 23 and first in starts and consecutive starts with 170.

TSE said it had trouble finding buyers for its teams and sponsors for the series, which was to feature 10 three-car teams located in major U.S. cities. Each team was to have represented its city or region and participated in regular-season, postseason and championship races.

Leffler, who drove in Winston Cup in 2001 for Chip Ganassi Racing, has spent the past two seasons in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with team owner Jim Smith. Leffler was eighth in NCTS points before leaving for the Winston Cup ride.

"It's really an honor to be first to climb behind the wheel of the Tundra," Ruttman said. "For being its first time on the track, I was really impressed with the truck's performance. It hit as close to the mark as any new race vehicle could hope to achieve for a first test."

The Toyota Tundra will make its NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut next February at Daytona International Speedway.

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