Kyle Busch sees potential ownership role in future endeavors
By SceneDaily Staff
Saturday, July 18, 2009
MADISON, Ill. – Kyle Busch says he would like to be a car owner somewhere down the road in one of NASCAR’s top three series and that he would likely choose Brian Ickler as his driver.
Busch and the 23-year-old Ickler compete for Billy Ballew Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series, with Ickler driving the team’s No. 51 Toyota on weekends when Busch can’t because of his Sprint Cup and Nationwide series duties.
Ickler, who has driven a Late Model for Kyle Busch Motorsports in select short-track events, has also made three starts this season in Billy Ballew’s No. 15 entry.
“My role with Billy Ballew Motorsports isn’t a team owner, but it’s sort of a driving consultant [per se], I guess,” Busch said at Gateway International Raceway, where he’ll compete in tonight’s Nationwide race. “ I talked highly of Brian and talked [team owner] Billy [Ballew] into allowing him to drive my races that I’m not running in the 51. And we’ve been really proud of him where we’ve been able to fill him in the 15 a little bit more and more, too.
“For me to own a team in the near future, that’s tough [with] the way the economy is, the way the manufacturer support has been. I’m with a great manufacturer with Toyota. They’ve really helped us out at Billy Ballew Motorsports this year.”
While Busch doesn’t have any immediate plans to join the ownership ranks in one of NASCAR’s national touring series, it’s an idea he would entertain at some point in years to come. More than one of Busch’s fellow Cup competitors, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. (JR Motorsports/Nationwide team) and Kevin Harvick (Kevin Harvick Inc./Nationwide and Truck teams), have taken that step.
“You look at Harvick and it’s tough for him,” Busch said. “He wants to give these young guys a shot, but sometimes the sponsors are willing to pay for his name. They don’t want a Kelly Bires. They don’t want a Cale Gale. They don’t want to take a chance on those guys, which is really sad to see because I like Kelly and I like Cale.
“I think those guys have really done a lot for the Super Late Model ranks and deserve a shot up here, but they just can’t get it. For me, I’d love to own a team if the right situation came about. Then I feel like it would be a great thing to do and I feel like my first choice for a driver would probably be with Brian Ickler.”
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39 responses to "Kyle Busch sees potential ownership role in future endeavors". Post a Comment.
seabass069 said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 10:59 AMKyle Busch would be just like Tony Stewart. In my opinion he is not true owner. He gets all of his gear from Hendrick. Tony joined an organization (HAAS) that was already established. Kyle Busch would do the same. The only true driver/owner, which owns multiple cars is Michael Waltrip. Tony does not understand as an owner in the Sprint series what it is like to struggle with money, sponsorship, and equipment. It has all been handed to him.
motorsportsphotography said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 11:21 AM#1, You are right. The only true owner/drivers are Michael and Robby. Tony got a 50 million dollar gift to bring in sponsors and drivers. He gets complete cars less seats and sheet metal from HMS. He is not a true owner/driver.
gwen_susie388 said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 12:17 PMIt sounds to me like Tony Stewart is a guy that someone really has faith in to get the job done. A 50 million dollar gift is a lot of money. So far he's pulled it off. Let's see what happens from here on.
Bill8848 said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 12:33 PMI agree with 1 & 2, if they started from scratch,they would really know what being a team owner is all about. Tony lucked out with Hendrick supplying him with just about everything he needs. I give M.Waltrip and R. Gordon credit for starting on their own.
artlynho531 said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 2:52 PMDon't care, its probably the only way he'll have a car to drive at some point, but will he be able to get a sponsor? Not if I hasd anything to do with it.
going2heaven said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 3:04 PM#1, you're right on.
going2heaven said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 3:09 PMKyle as an owner would be pretty interesting. He'd have to mature a bit, I think. Not lose his fire, though.
dale said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 4:22 PMYou guys don't have a clue. If everything was handed to Tony, why is it HAAS had never finished in the top 10 before Tony? Tony has owned and run teams at many different levels as well as a race track. To say he doesn't understand is just sour grapes on your part. Tony still has to get sponsors, pay the bills (regardless of where he buys or leases cars from), pay employees as well as perform.
motorsportsphotography said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 4:43 PM#5, He was handed a 50 million dollar gift. He hired Darian from HMS for his crew chief,He hired tony from DEI for Ryan's crew chief. Most of the guys that worked for Haas are on both of their crews. He hired some of JGRs, DEIs, and HMSs guys to fill the spots where he needed. Other than that the shop was all there and he just walked in and sat down. The place didn't produce until their allegiance with HMS and they got two good drivers.
OSUSam said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 4:55 PMYou aren't "handed" sponsorship money, you have to go out and get it. And isn't hiring good people what a good owner is supposed to do? Good managers hire good people to work for them. That's just good business. Besides, Tony has owned Sprint Car teams for years. He knew a little about car ownership. Plus, yes he took over an existing team. An existing team that was one of the worst in NASCAR.
OSUSam said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 4:55 PMYou aren't "handed" sponsorship money, you have to go out and get it. And isn't hiring good people what a good owner is supposed to do? Good managers hire good people to work for them. That's just good business. Besides, Tony has owned Sprint Car teams for years. He knew a little about car ownership. Plus, yes he took over an existing team. An existing team that was one of the worst in NASCAR.
OSUSam said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 4:57 PMKyle can never own his own team. He could never find anyone who would be willing to work for him and his attitude.
bthompson133 said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 5:02 PMwhere did all the rose colored glasses come from?
SS396Chevelle said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 6:51 PMThis is one funny story. Kyle Busch can't handle himself yet own a race team. Like to know who gave Tony a gift of 50 million. He started this new team and has the right mix to win a championship again in a Chevy. #6 You are right about one thing Chevy has the best power out there. If not the top 3 cars would not be leading the Chase.
SS396Chevelle said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 7:09 PM#5 #6 #7 #8 #9 all right on. Taking an also ran team and placing both cars in the top 10 proves Tony Stewart knows what he is doing. Imagine Kyle Busch an owner.... every week he would be firing crews and drivers. He will never be in a league with Hendrick, SRH, RCH, JGR, and Penske racing.
motorsportsphotography said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 7:42 PM#8, Sponsorship was easy to get for SHR. Office Depot was in line for a switch after RFR wanted an additional 2 million dollars a year. ARMY was leaving for greener pastures after DEI merged with Chip. #11, SHR is estimated to be worth over 100 million. Gene gave Tony 50% of it as a gift if he could bring in drivers and sponsors. It was a gift. And Chevy is only fast right now because Toyota hasnt brought out the new motor. Next year its all over. Chevy will run the RO7 for ever. They didnt replace the SB2 for 10 years.
SS396Chevelle said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 8:08 PMDoesn't matter what it's worth, the fact is he took a team which was an also ran and took it to the top. Chevy didn't have to replace its older engine for years as it ran up front. Like they say tomorrow never comes neither does next year. Toyota needs more then the next generation engine to keep up with Chevy and you can bet Mr Hendrick isn't going to allow his team to lose ground. I thought Chevy was out of Nascar. That theory didn't hold much water. Don't forget Fords new engine hasn't raced this year. In Sprint Cup Toyota isn't moving forward but backward. Lets see how Toyota runs at Indy and Pocono.
gwen_susie388 said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 10:34 PMHello
motorsportsphotography said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 10:58 PM#13, Thats pretty funny cosidering they have only been in Cup for 2 years. Chevy cant even keep up in the trucks and NW. Chevy is losing more ground everyday.
motorsportsphotography said:
Jul 18, 2009 at 11:21 PMAnd by the way. Toyota took the Truck series in 2006,2007,2008, and 2009. Toyota took the NW series in 2007, 2008, and now 2009. They always take the lead after 2 full seasons in any series.
SS396Chevelle said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 9:39 AM#15 who won the last 3 truck races??? Toyota?? think not. Who cares about the trucks and NW. Take the JGR drivers out of NW and where would they be? 2 years in the cup and only one team with a wins... I forgot the 280 mile shortened 600 at Charlotte. "Toyota moving Backwards" new ad campaign for sprint cup teams.
SS396Chevelle said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 10:10 AMSprint cup = Professional league... NW and trucks = minor league.
josh834ur said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 10:19 AMIf you put the good Chevy drivers in a Toyota, Chevy would never win another race. Toyota only has 3 good drivers.
Werner said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 11:16 AMperhaps jusst as Stewart and Harvick have changed their attitudes with ownership, maybe it might change Kyle somewhat...i hope not too much..lol
fredstephens said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 11:19 AMKyle Busch can prove his true worthlessness by hiring motorsportsphotography as his Public Relations Staff. Two of a kind.
jbbigrod said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 12:57 PMExcuse ME, but FORD and Carl Edwards won the Nationwide series in 2007, NOT Toyota. ANOTHER fact errot???
gwen_susie388 said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 2:59 PMOn a different note: Kyle's platter is pretty full right now. He has to mature and understand the responsibility of being an owner. When that time gets here, it would be a great investment for him. IMO, it would probably be best if someone invested with him for ownership. Someone to share all the numerous responsibilities, not to mention money, helping with getting sponsorship, etc. Let that work for awhile and then get full ownership. This would apply for any driver just starting out. Investments are good. You just have to know what to do and then make sure it works out for you.
gwen_susie388 said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 3:00 PMOn a different note: Kyle's platter is pretty full right now. He has to mature and understand the responsibility of being an owner. When that time gets here, it would be a great investment for him. IMO, it would probably be best if someone invested with him for ownership. Someone to share all the numerous responsibilities, not to mention money, helping with getting sponsorship, etc. Let that work for awhile and then get full ownership. This would apply for any driver just starting out. Investments are good. You just have to know what to do and then make sure it works out for you.
motorsportsphotography said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 3:21 PMYeah, just look at Dale. he cant even stay a float with JRM.
SS396Chevelle said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 4:49 PMWith his negative popularity I doubt he would get a sponsor. Not to mention he has no business experience at all.
SS396Chevelle said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 5:01 PMHe may get some sponsors which sell nuts as that would fit well with his personality. Oh he already does. #16 New Toyota ad campaign.. "Toyota moving backwards in Sprint Cup Racing" I guess what you have been saying is Japanese racing engineers are better then American racing engineers. I didn't see Toyota stick it out in IRL as they put up the white flag and ran to Nascar. In F1 they stink.
Werner said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 6:36 PMmichael only has 50% ownership of MWR....
motorsportsphotography said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 6:47 PM#21, IRL is dead. And in F1 they are 3rd ahead of Ferrari.
motorsportsphotography said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 6:49 PMFor a 2 year old motor program and only a few drivers they will take over CUP.
Phoenix987 said:
Jul 19, 2009 at 7:21 PMI think the only way Kyle will 'mellow out' or whatever you want to call it is by him owning his own team and having to pay his own bills. When he realizes how much it costs to repair or replace the cars that he wrecks he will mature and finally be ready to win a championship. Until he's paying the repair bills for his wrecks, he's not going to win a championship in Cup.
jbbigrod said:
Jul 20, 2009 at 2:00 AMHIGHLY unlikely. NASCAR won't let THAT happen. Neither will the competitors. What does Kyle Busch say about 2nd? Hate to think what he would say about third.
motorsportsphotography said:
Jul 20, 2009 at 7:35 AMThink again.NASCAR is 100% behind Toyota, And the competitors have no say in the matter.
jbbigrod said:
Jul 20, 2009 at 11:08 AMSorry, but the competitors have ALL the say. THEY are the ones who will beat them or not beat them, and more times than not, they will beat them. Watch.
keith308 said:
Jul 20, 2009 at 1:33 PMIf he wants a ride in a few years he will probably have to drive for himself. I would never hire a selfish, spoiled and trophy wrecking punk like him.