Busch maintains mutual decision led to split
BROOKLYN, Mich. - Kyle Busch is not bitter or angry over his impending split with Hendrick Motorsports. He's too busy concentrating on finishing this year out strongly and trying to figure out what he's looking for when it comes to his future team.
Busch issued a statement Wednesday saying he would not return to his Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Nextel Cup team in 2008 on the day the team announced the addition of Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the four-car lineup for next season.
Friday at Michigan International Speedway, Busch reiterated comments from his initial statement and ones made by team owner Rick Hendrick in the news conference that the decision was mutual.
"We decided it and sat down and talked about things and decided it would be in both of our best interests to get a fresh start," he said. "I feel like it's a time where I can step away from where I've been for a few years and try to get a fresh start and see what else is out there."
Busch says the negotiations were on and off over time and that there were some stumbles in the road, but the final meeting to make that decision was on Monday. He was asked if he was bitter over the split, if he asked for his release from the team and if he was surprised by this turn of events.
Busch completely dismissed any bitterness over the split and reiterated that the decision was mutual. But even though it was, that doesn't mean he wasn't surprised when his contract talks broke down. He says those negotiations had been a little up and down, but said that his representation didn't keep him completely informed about developments, so he wasn't up on all aspects of them.
He also says that, through his representation, Hendrick discovered that other teams were approaching Busch, and that didn't seem to go over well with his current team. Hendrick mentioned in Wednesday's news conference that Busch had been approached by more teams than the driver had expected. Busch has since changed agents, though he says that was not merely a response to this situation.
"I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would leave Hendrick Motorsports," he admitted. "... Neither did Kurt Busch when he joined Roush Racing. ... I was 17 when I was first talking with Mr. Hendrick and signed my deal with Mr. Hendrick. I've had the greatest time and the utmost respect for him ... I look forward to being able to go out and see what I can accomplish somebody else."
With the talks not going well, and with Dale Earnhardt Jr. announcing he would be available on May 10, things just didn't work out.
"To me, just from what I know, the negotiations were going well, then they weren't going well, then we started getting back on track and then Junior announced his availability and then that's where it kind of stalled out again and so, I'm not stupid, you guys aren't stupid," he said.
So now he's considering his options.
Busch, 22, says he does not have a list of teams to consider. Right now, much like Earnhardt Jr. a month ago, he's waiting to see what happens and what sort of offers develop.
"Actually I'm just kind of flattered and excited about all the interest and the phone calls that we've gotten," he said. "I haven't talked to any representatives from any teams. I've got people that stand behind me that do that stuff for me. When it comes down to the point where I feel like there's some people I need to talk to, we'll sit down."
Unlike Earnhardt Jr., though, he's not adamant in his desire to stay with his current manufacturer. While Busch says he has a strong relationship with the company, he seems to be open to any offers.
"I'm not married to Chevrolet, but I've got a lot of great friends there and a lot of respect for those guys and they do [for me] as well," he said. "I'd love to stay in Chevy, but we're just going to keep all our options right now and play the field and see exactly what is out there."
He plans to do that without letting it become a distraction to his championship effort. While that will be a difficult balance to maintain in the coming weeks, Busch thinks he's up to the challenge.
"I'm looking forward to just being able to sit down and talk with some people and see what's out there," he said. "Right now I'm down because I want to be with my guys and now having to work with those guys the rest of the year is going to be a little bit difficult. But I'm still committed to them.
"On the other side of the coin, I'm excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and I'm looking forward to being able to solidify something."
He just hasn't decided with who yet. Busch says that at this point, he's interested in hearing from any team that has an open seat for next season.
"Let's sit down," he said when speaking of other owners. "Let's have dinner."
http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/06/11/scene_daily892.html
