Kurt Busch To Remain With Phoenix Racing After NASCAR Suspension

Phoenix Racing team owner James Finch said driver Kurt Busch agreed to respect NASCAR fans and the media during a Tuesday meeting that resulted in Busch retaining his job.

Finch told Sirius/XM’s NASCAR channel Tuesday night that it’s time for Busch to produce results without continually having off-the-track distractions.

Any doubts Kurt Busch wouldn’t have a ride after returning from his one-week suspension from NASCAR were erased Tuesday afternoon when Phoenix Racing team owner James Finch announced Busch will be returning to the No. 51 car this weekend at Michigan.

“We have met with Kurt,” Finch said in a statement released by the team. “At the end of the day, we are racers, so we’re going racing together with Kurt and the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet.”

SportingNews.com reporter Bob Pockrass, the target of Kurt Busch’s comments which drew a suspension from the NASCAR Pocono race this weekend, had an influential driver spring to his defense on Friday.

When asked about Busch’s suspension, four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon first gave a short answer about how officials were perhaps trying to send a “wake-up call” to Busch. But then he suddenly veered from the question and addressed Pockrass’ role in the matter, unprompted.

You know the threatening comments Kurt Busch made to SportingNews.com reporter Bob Pockrass? While NASCAR deemed them worthy of a suspension, defending Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart said Tuesday night they were right on the money.

“Honestly, Kurt is right: Bob Pockrass is probably the biggest mixer in the whole media center,” Stewart said during the Tony Stewart Live show on Sirius/XM. “Every time he interviews somebody, it is strictly controversial.”

Phoenix Racing owner James Finch told SiriusXM’s NASCAR channel Tuesday that driver Kurt Busch either needs to “get his mind right” or the team will be forced to find a new driver.

“I don’t want to give up on the talent Kurt has,” Finch told The Morning Drive. “He’s one of the best drivers there. He’s got some problems he needs to work through, and hopefully he can do that. If he can’t, then I’ve got to go forward.”