CUP: Kurt Busch To RPM?

Sprint Cup

CUP: Kurt Busch To RPM?

Kurt Busch could drive a Richard Petty Motorsports Ford next season...

Tom Jensen | Posted December 13, 2011 Charlotte, NC

Kurt Busch could be on the brink of signing with Richard Petty Motorsports. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

In a developing story, SPEED.com has confirmed that Richard Petty Motorsports is in the early stages of negotiations to try and sign Kurt Busch to drive for the team in 2012 and beyond.

Multiple sources close to the situation said that Busch and RPM are talking. Whether Busch would replace AJ Allmendinger in the No. 43 RPM Ford or drive a third car for the team is unclear. One source close to the team said Allmendinger would not return, but multiple other sources said RPM is trying to add a third car and that Allmendinger is highly thought of, both within RPM and Ford Motor Co.

But all of this is contingent on sponsorship.

Best Buy has not renewed its deal to sponsor the No. 43, and a new sponsor would have to be signed to fund Busch’s car. Sources told SPEED.com that the Busch talks are not far along and an announcement of his signing is not imminent.

FOXSports.com spoke with RPM co-owner Andy Murstein Tuesday, and he confirmed the team is impressed by Busch.

“Kurt’s issues are far less severe than what other athletes have done in other sports,” Murstein told FOXSports.com Tuesday. “Those athletes have all received second chances and Kurt will, too. He wasn't caught running a dog-fighting ring, he wasn't caught with a handgun in a club, he wasn't using performance-enhancing drugs, and unlike his brother he wasn't even letting his temper get the best of him to cause a wreck.

“I think he is a great competitor who just needs to take a step back and clear his head. Perhaps someone as well-respected, talented, and universally loved like the King (Richard Petty, RPM co-owner) could help him accomplish that.”

Sirius-speedway.com reported that Kurt Busch is in line for the ride, with RPM Chief Operating Officer Robbie Loomis telling Dave Moody, “I would mortgage my house to make Kurt a part of this team. We value what he has done on the race track. He has won a (Sprint Cup) championship and worked for a first-class operation like Penske Racing. Guys like that don’t come along every day.”

Busch left Penske Racing in what was termed as a “mutual separation” after the conclusion of the 2011 season. Busch’s obscenity-laden tirade against an ESPN camera crew at Homestead-Miami Speedway was the final straw in a controversy-laden season for the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion.

Allmendinger has spent the last three seasons driving for RPM. During 108 starts with the team, he has posted four top-five and 26 top-10 finishes. He finished the 2011 season 15th in points, his career best to date. Allmendinger is looking for his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup victory in 152 starts.

Tom Jensen is the Editor in Chief of SPEED.com, Senior NASCAR Editor at RACER and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. You can follow him online at twitter.com/tomjensen100.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Jensen

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