Stewart-Haas Racing is continuing their efforts to sign Kurt Busch for the 2014 Sprint Cup season.
2013 Irwin Tools Night Race: Stewart-Haas Racing moving forward with plans to add car for Kurt Busch
Stewart-Haas Racing is pursuing Kurt Busch and is willing to expand to four cars to accommodate the former NASCAR champion.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
But bringing Busch aboard would necessitate SHR expanding to four cars, something competition director Greg Zipadelli said the team is preparing to do next season.
“As far as Kurt’s deal, that is moving forward,” Zipadelli said Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway. “We spent some time this week talking about buildings and expanding.”
The idea of expansion is something Tony Stewart dismissed last month when announcing Ryan Newman would not be back with SHR next season. Team officials believe adding a third car for Danica Patrick put the organization behind early this season in preparation and overextended its resources. There is also the matter of finding additional funding, as Stewart and Newman both already lack full sponsorship.
According to Zipadelli, though, SHR has reevaluated its options within the past two weeks. The idea of adding a fourth car is the impetus of co-owner Gene Haas, who has long been a supporter of Busch and is willing to self-sponsor the team if needed.
“Obviously something has changed,” Zipadelli said. “It’s really nothing that Ryan did wrong. I mean he’s done a great job, he’s a good guy, heck of a driver ... Gene just showed some interest in having the ability to put something together. Without getting into a ton more details, that is really all it is.”
Busch, the 2004 Cup champion, currently drives for Furniture Row Racing and is a free agent at the end of the year. He has spoke openly about his fondness for the single-car team that operates out of Denver.
Although he has enjoyed success this season -- he’s currently ninth in points -- Busch has been adamant that he wants to win races and contend for a championship. Signing with SHR, which receives cars and engines and shares a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports, would provide that opportunity.
Despite the mutual interest, however, no deal has been reached as of yet.
“It’s something we are working on,” Zipadelli said. “I don’t know that it will all come together. It’s going to take an awful lot. It is kind of late. If we can get it all worked out, we are going to head that way.”
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