Kyle Busch Plans for F1 Test
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Yup, you read the title correctly … Kyle Busch, first in the Sprint Cup standings, second in the Nationwide Series standings, sixth in the Craftsman Truck Series standings, and winner of 8 NASCAR points-paying events in only 27 races run this season … THAT Kyle Busch is now already making plans to put together a test session over in Japan with Formula One.
This past Friday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Kyle told the media, “We’re working on a test session right now at the end of November or beginning of December sometime, going to Japan and doing a little exhibition sort of deal and see what it’s like. We’ll take the Cup car over there, too, I think. Just kind of run around there at at either Twin Ring (Motegi) or something like that and show them what the Cup cars are like, and try to get in the Formula One car, too.”
When asked if this was an indicator that he has any interest in competing in the series, Kyle said, “We’ll see how good I test, first.”
Tags: , Craftsman Truck Series, f1 series, formula one, Joe Gibbs Racing, Kyle Busch, lowe's motor speedway, NASCAR, Nationwide Series, Sprint Cup SeriesRelated Stories
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26 opinions for Kyle Busch Plans for F1 Test
marc
May 18, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Busch is smokin’ crack.
First of all they know what a Cup car is “all about.”
In fact Twin-Ring Motegi not only provides Cup cars for the fans very much like the Petty Driving Experience but also 600 hp Sprint Cars for the fans to drive on the dirt oval that is on the property. And there is a near cult-like group of fans that spend thousands of dollars each year driving them.
Secondly, the chances of him testing an F1 Toyota at Twin-Ring is the closest thing to nil you can get, the place is owned by Honda.
They would look the other way for a stock car Toyota for the reason stated above, but a F1 Toy test? No, it ain’t happening.
And the reverse is true, they wouldn’t give him an F1 Honda because of his Toy connections, the F1 rivalry between the two squads is too keen.
What about other tracks you ask?
Well there’s always Suzuka but alas it also owned by Honda.
And Fuji is owned by Toyota. The next best option is Autopolis and it’s not only out in the Japanese boonies but not FIA cleared for F1 type cars.
Dream on Baby Busch, dream on.
Adam C
May 18, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I agree. Baby Busch is smokin crack dude!
Tim Zaegel
May 18, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Marc, my initial thoughts when I discovered this all revolved around how massively huge this kid’s ego truly must be. To me, he still hasn’t proven himself as the real deal in the Cup Series, yet he’s already making plans like this. Tsk Tsk.
Alicia
May 19, 2008 at 12:53 am
^ Those were my exact first thoughts. Interested in seeing how this pans out.
marc
May 19, 2008 at 1:54 am
Tim, I don’t think it’s as much as his ego but I have a thought this was all concocted by Toyota and Busch is just going along for the ride.
Believe it or don’t, Japan has a large group of fans that follow NASCAR and during my seven years living there it was far from unusual to see NASCAR gear adoring the “teen-things” and above in Akihbara and other places around the country.
RevJim
May 19, 2008 at 3:29 am
I have been saying for two years that Busch has what it takes to be a Formula One driver. As long as he makes it past the chaos of the standing start, and as long as he doesn’t have to pass for the lead–which only happens two or three times a year in F1 anyway–he would be great at it.
Ryan Newman's #1
May 19, 2008 at 4:17 pm
He still needs more to prove himself good, like Tim said.
Tim Zaegel
May 19, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I have no doubt that Kyle has the ability to drive anything with a motor in it … he’s that good. I’ve heard rumors that he plans to look to the F1 Series around the age of 30, though, and I can only hope that he’ll have matured by then … I’d hate to see what his reckless behavior would do in open wheels.
Tim Zaegel
May 19, 2008 at 9:50 pm
And, Marc, I’ve never been to Japan myself … but, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to learn that they have a NASCAR following out in the Far East. Our cultures seem to mimic one another these days in terms of technology and entertainment.
marc
May 20, 2008 at 12:05 am
Tim, that’s the crack pipe talking, there’s no way Busch or anyone else will have any shot at breaking into F1 at age 30.
No way… no how.
Mike
May 20, 2008 at 1:57 am
F1 is the pinnacle of motorsports and require a special kind of guy. I like that Kyle is up to for a challenge but it’s not as simple as driving a cup car. The amount of Gs and pushing the car to the limit on a twisty circuit it ain’t as simple as it looks.
Here some comments from a punk that could not make it in F1
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/080519170700.shtml
Tim Zaegel
May 20, 2008 at 9:35 pm
So, Marc … it seems to me that we’re in agreement that Kyle’s not exactly the brightest crayon in the box. Age 30 wasn’t my idea - just relaying what I hear.
trent
Jun 14, 2008 at 10:35 am
This must be a joke, a bad one. F1 is looking for any kind of PR to get popular in US. A Nascar driver doesn’t have the finesse and precision that it takes to drive an F1, not in a million years. Look at Bourdais, the 4 times consecutive Indycar championship winner, at F1, he’s driving for one of the worst teams in the grid but his 21 year old teammate is kicking his ass on every race.
…and Busch, ohh he’s gonna get a surprise when he feel’s the kind of power an F1 can achieve, he doesn’t have any idea. That’s 750hp from a 2.4L V8.
mary
Jun 14, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Trent do you mean like the 850 horsepower generated by Sprint Cup cars? For the mathematically challenged that’s a hundred more than a Ferrari or Mercedes-Mclaren.
And why do you use Bourdais to base your misguided point on? He’s driving a crap-wagon that no one could get to the front including his teammate. That aside he’s an open wheeler not from NASCAR. You’re making an apples and oranges comparison.
Tell you what Trent, do a search for the yearly Race of Champions events held in Dec-Jan.
When you find the website check the past records. You’ll find both Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon have raced against and BEATEN F1 would champs, WRC world champs among many other of the top drivers in the world.
And they’ve done it in identical vehicles where it’s the driver that makes the difference not the car.
And as a final note it’s not F1 looking for the PR, this stunt was dreamed up by Toyota not F1.
Trent, do you have the feeling nothing in your comment is close to reality?
You should.
Tim Zaegel
Jun 15, 2008 at 7:43 am
I’m not gonna lie … I’m really not versed well enough in the F1 Series to get too deep into this conversation between the two of you, but I can say that NASCAR’s Cup Series drivers have proven on a number of occassions that they’re just as talented - if not more talented - as any other drivers in the world.
Adam C
Jun 15, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Cup drivers are the best drivers in e world and that all there is to it. F1 sucks.
mary
Jun 15, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Adam C - Offering any proof of that statement?
Their are no “best” drivers in the world, there are very few venues/events where they can be rightfully compared.
The only legit one being the Race of Champions, where some years the NASCAR drivers do exceptionally well and others ti’s the WRC drivers or F1 drivers.
willy bermello
Jun 24, 2008 at 4:36 pm
It is apparent that toyota sees something rare and special in kyles busch.Toyota is aware how hard it is to adjust to F1 g’s and that’s why he will eventually become a test driver (for toyota) for a couple of years and at the same time he will compete in lower formulas(formula renault or GP2). Most importantly, Toyota will be very competative after the 2009F1 rules change. Less areo/slick tires ,close to how F1 was in the 80’s.perfect for kyle
My friends this has nothing todo with a pr stunt or if there is a nascar following in japan…think of it this way ,if kyle is as good as what toyota says then there is a chance that the USA and Nascar image can be elevated to trmendous hieghts. The idea that a fast nascar driver going to race in F1 and do a good early on is priceless for Nascar.kyle will always be a nascar boyand that’s he is the perfect candidate to be nascars ambassadore in F1. I have the faith in that boys ability.no question. You should too. Swallow your pride.
marc
Jun 24, 2008 at 6:43 pm
willy bermello, excuse me but…. you’re out of your mind!
Tim Zaegel
Jun 24, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Personally, I really think that folks are reading a bit too much into the whole scenario, especially diehard Formula One fans. I know Busch made some comments about possibly racing the cars later on in his career, but that’s just Kyle’s arrogance talking. He enjoys the controversy.
As for the test session later in the year, Kyle wants to race pretty much everyday year-round, especially if it makes people talk. Take that and add in the fact that Toyota sees some dollar signs with minimal effort, and what do you get? Kyle Busch in an F1 test session in Japan.
willy bermello
Jun 26, 2008 at 12:50 am
Maybe I am , who knows. Gotta have faith.
Tim Zaegel
Jun 26, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Willy, I hope you don’t take offense. I appreciate ya stopping by to drop a line.
willy bermello
Jun 27, 2008 at 8:10 am
Never do…All I really want is for all american drivers to shine internationaly.and the”race of champions” is not the best place to demonstrate driving ability. You can only do it in nascar,f1 and rally….but for MARC , he better hope that I am dead wrong. Only time will tell. Talk to you in december.
marc
Jun 27, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I HAVE to hope your “dead wrong bermello?”
And if the reverse is true?
Put down the crack pipe and mouse and slowly back away from the computer.
The Kyle/Toyota alliance only works within the U.S. and that’s the single place on the planet it will ever work.
Toyota is in NASCAR to promote sales and it’s image in the U.S. not to migrate any of it’s stars to other and completely different racing series.
That fact, in addition to the outright lunacy of thinking someone can step into F1 at age 30 or older and be close to a race winner is just that, pure unadulterated lunacy.
willy bermello
Jun 27, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I mite be on crack but I’m not stupid. .anybody going to f1 at 30 is living a pipe dream. I agree.
Now is the only oppurtunity for kyle and it will take another 3 to 4 years before he will ever race an F1 car.(Testing)
If he wins this years Spintcup, just maybe his ego mite take him straight to F1. To be in F1 you have to have a huge amount selfish/ego and supurb driving skills. Undoubtely He has both.
So what’s the big deal if a very talented driver from nascar goes to F1 and comes back at age 33.the guy has nothing to loose.especially with toyo,,they have plenty of money.
Regardless it was a pleasure talking to you guys.
Michael
Jun 28, 2008 at 8:53 am
Is he nuts he doesn’t stand a chance,I hope he tryes it and then he will find out how bad a driver he really is!
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