Busch (R) and Broncos coach John Fox |
One of FRR’s most fervent local fans is Denver Broncos head coach
John Fox, who previously coached nine seasons for the Carolina Panthers,
located in NASCAR’s racing hub of Charlotte, NC. During a recent Furniture Row
Racing team visit to the Broncos training camp, Fox spent time with driver Kurt
Busch, then followed with a pep talk to members of the pit crew.
“That was really neat for Coach Fox to take time after the Broncos
practice to address our team,” said Busch. “He’s a fan of NASCAR and he is
pulling for his hometown team and we appreciate what he had to say to us. He
was inspiring, stressing to keep focused on the present and to execute with
perfection.
“He knows what it takes to win – those were exciting times in
Charlotte when he directed the Panthers to the 2004 Super Bowl. I have a
feeling the Denver football fans are going to be in for a similar treat this
year.”
Staying focused on the present is what Busch has done in the past
three races, with results of third (Pocono), ninth (Watkins Glen) and third
(Michigan) for an average finish of 5.0. That three-race surge lifted
Busch from 14th to ninth in the championship standings. He is two points
out of eight and six points ahead of 11th.
The next stop for Busch is one of his favorite tracks; Bristol Motor
Speedway. But the former series champion is well aware of the potential hazards
the high-banked, half-mile concrete oval presents.
“We all know that trouble can happen at any corner at Bristol,”
said Busch, a five-time Bristol winner. “There are 500 laps and we have to protect
our car and still finish well. We could get in a little fender-bender, some
itty-bitty thing can happen that will put us on the outside. We need to stay
focused and worry about what we do and not what others do."
Busch, driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row/Sealy Chevrolet SS, said
the adrenalin pumps a little faster for The Irwin Tools Saturday night race at
Bristol.
“The Bristol night race is one of those top-five events of the
year where you feel the excitement and the electricity,” explained Busch. “The
fans are jazzed up for the race, which has a special vibe to it like the
Daytona 500, Coke 600 and the All-Star event.
“It's one of those fun tracks that you anticipate going to,
knowing the track and knowing the different types of setups it takes to back up
the top-five finish we had there earlier this year.”
Busch’s fourth-place
finish in the spring race at Bristol was his first of six top-fives this
season. His overall record at Bristol is: 25 starts, five wins,
seven top fives, 14 top 10s, one pole and 841 laps led. His average finish is
13.4.
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