Fast Facts: Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch is the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and the winner of Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout. He began his NASCAR career in 2000 after winning the Roush Racing Driver X competition in 1999. He currently drives the #22 Shell Pennzoil Dodge for Penske Racing.

• Busch was born August 4, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada and attended Durango High School. He is the older brother of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch.


• He began racing go-karts at age 6, then competed in Dwarf and Legends cars on the west coast. In 1997, he competed in the Winter Heat Series at Tucson Raceway Park against drivers like Ron Hornaday Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Greg Biffle.


• In 2000, Busch competed in the Camping World Truck Series, finishing second to Roush teammate Greg Biffle in season-ending points and winning Rookie of the Year honors. He also began racing in the Cup Series toward the end of 2000.


• He raced for Roush Racing from 2000 to 2005 – winning his only championship – then signed with Penske Racing for the 2006 season. He drove the #2 Miller Lite Dodge from 2006 to 2010.


• Through the 2010 season, Busch has recorded 22 wins and 153 top tens in the Cup Series.


• Busch is married to the former Eva Bryan (July 27, 2006). He is a fan of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears.


• Busch made his NHRA drag racing debut in the Super Gas division at the 2010 Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. In 2011, Busch will return to the Gatornationals after earning his Pro Stock license in the off-season. He’ll race the Shell Dodge Avenger for Allen Johnson and J&J Racing in hopes of being one of 16 qualifiers for the Pro Stock finals.


• Find out more about Busch at http://www.kurtbusch.com/.

Image: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR