Kurt Busch signs long term deal, no terms mentioned
WHEN WAS YOUR CONTRACT UP AND HAVE YOU TALKED TO ANY OTHER TEAMS BEFORE RE-SIGNING WITH PENSKE? "I knew that I was committed through 2010 and 2011's option was picked up by Roger (Penske). So what that meant was a perfect opportunity to talk about what the future could bring; not just 2011, but 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and beyond. We started with just a light-hearted sit down at a dinner one night, almost like one of those napkin sketches of, 'Hey, this is what I'd like to see and this is what might happen.' Then this (Shell/Pennzoil) opportunity just came up a few weeks ago and it changed the whole landscape that we ended up with. No, I didn't talk to any other teams. When I weighed my options personally, with my wife Eva and my manager (John Caponigro), we looked at other teams, we tried to find scenarios that would fit for us, but none of them were as powerful as creating the longevity with Penske."
DO YOU FEEL AWKWARD FOR SAM WHO NOW IS WITHOUT A SPONSORED CAR FOR 2011? DO YOU THINK THAT YOU WILL HAVE A THIRD PENSKE CUP CAR NEXT YEAR? "That's the most refreshing part of it, my deal is done and I'm signed long-term and I don't have to worry about the silly season. Brad's settled in. Sam's is definitely part of our program and will be a part of Penske Racing. I know that 2011 will be picked up for his (contract) option. He will be driving for Penske next year. What I hope happens in the upcoming months is that a secure sponsor comes to allow him to sign a multi-year deal and move forward. That way we can put all of that behind us in the summer months and be ready to rip in 2011.
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE PARTICULARS OF THE NEW CONTRACT WITH US? "I'm not really obligated (at liberty) to talk about it. It's a multi-year agreement with Penske and Penske Corporation and myself and Shell/Pennzoil."
IS IT ANY DIFFERENT THAT THE CONTRACT THAT YOU HAD WITH PENSKE PREVIOUSLY? "No, it's not any different in any way. It's very similar."
WAS THE DECISION TO RE-SIGN WITH PENSKE ABOUT LONGIVITY? "It definitely crossed my mind to work with Roger on a lifetime-type deal. This program presented itself and it happened at such a quick time frame that it didn't allow time to develop any further. It was almost like, 'Hey, you going with me? I've gotta go make this happen. It was a situation that I felt very comfortable with; I now know Roger for working with him the last five years. I definitely look to have my career end here at Penske Racing; hopefully that's 10-15 years down the road. Being only 31 years-old, there's still so much potential, blue sky, and so much fun that we can have together. I look at the business-to-business relationship as being an important factor in signing with Roger." Dodge Motorsports