Kluever tries to focus, will run part-time Busch sked in '07
By Mark Ashenfelter
Friday, October 13, 2006
DAVID GRIFFIN/NASCAR SCENE /
CONCORD, N.C. - Todd Kluever is racing in Saturday's NASCAR Nextel Cup Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Roush Racing's No. 06, and has one more Cup race on his schedule after that.
What Kluever doesn't have is a Nextel Cup Series ride in Roush's No. 6 Ford for next season. The organization announced Wednesday that David Ragan will replace Mark Martin in that car next season.
Nor does Kluever have a full-time Busch Series ride for next season, with owner Jack Roush saying Thursday that Kluever will run around 15 races.
"Todd is in a Busch car for a limited number of races," Roush said. "Maybe with a little less pressure we'll see how he develops."
Kluever's trying to remain positive, but admits it's not easy.
"This has been one of the most disappointing seasons I've ever been through," Kluever said. "As a team, we just haven't gotten results. We've done some things right and we've done some things wrong, but our results have just been poor.
"The 6 car has always been off in the future and it wasn't my No. 1 concern. I was always focused on this year and I'm still focused on this year. I'm focused on running good in these last couple of Busch races we've got left and the two Cup races I've got left. That's my main focus."
Kluever sits 18th in Busch Series points, the lowest among drivers who have started all 30 races. He declined comment on next season, preferring to wait until the plans for his team are officially released.
"I'll still be at Roush," he said. "I'm not at liberty to say in what capacity yet. I've talked to [Roush Racing President] Geoff Smith and I will be next year. My future's fine, we'll just keep going on."
