| CAR FACTS |
 |
No. 97 Sharpie IRWIN Ford
Owner: Georgetta Roush
Team: Roush Racing
Crew Chief: Jimmy Fennig
|
| CAREER STATS |
| Starts |
114 |
| Wins |
8 |
| Top 5 |
24 |
| 6-10 |
16 |
| Poles |
2 |
| Races Led |
43 |
| Laps Led |
1,774 |
| Races Since Last Win |
12 |
| Best Points Finish |
3rd (2002) |
| Earnings |
$11,779,316 |
| 2003 WRAP-UP |
| Points |
4,150 |
| Final Points Standing |
11th |
| Earnings |
$5,587,384 |
| Starts |
36 |
| Poles |
1 |
| Wins |
4 |
| Top 5 |
9 |
| 6-10 |
5 |
| Laps Led |
681 |
| Lead Lap Finishes |
19 |
| Bonus Points |
100 |
| Races Led |
18 |
|
This team can go either way. Kurt Busch and the Rubbermaid crew have shown signs of brilliance and signs of gross immaturity.
They started the 2003 season like gangbusters. In the first 16 races of the year, Busch posted championship numbers, winning three races and finishing in the top 5 on three other occasions. Only a couple of blown motors and DNF's kept him from leading the point standings at the midway mark.
Then things started to fall apart. The Michigan race in August showed Busch's immaturity and his team's lack of control. Busch intentionally damaged the car of long-time nemesis Jimmy Spencer, and in doing so not only jeopardized the safety of his fellow competitors but also showed no regard for the finish of his team's car.
The post-race incident has been well documented, and the concern of his sponsor should have been a wake-up call. But he then aggravated his situation by endangering pit crews in an incident at Martinsville.
Busch's indiscretions reveal a level of immaturity that usually does not allow a driver to prosper in this sport. A championship-level driver has to concentrate on the big picture at every race. In addition, the respect of fellow competitors is necessary to succeed. Busch has dug himself a hole that will be tough to escape. This brings him down a notch in our rankings.
Busch has the talent; the jury is still out on whether he is mature enough to get the job done. When a team has to baby-sit its driver, it is difficult to concentrate on winning races. The Rubbermaid team enters '04 with no momentum.
 | To purchase the 2004 Racing Preview from Athlon Sports, click here |
