page_title: Kurt Busch
section_title: 2014
hierarchical_section_title: Kurt Busch / Racing career / Cup Series / Stewart-Haas Racing / 2014
caption_attribution_description: English: Kurt Busch at his souvenir trailer signing autographs
context_page_description: Kurt Thomas Busch is an American professional stock car racing driver. He currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE for Chip Ganassi Racing. He is the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion, and currently tied for the second-longest-tenured active driver in the Cup Series with Ryan Newman – having made their first start in 2000. He is the older brother of two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch. The brothers are second-generation racing drivers; their father, Tom, won several NASCAR-sanctioned events.
  Busch has driven for Stewart-Haas Racing, Furniture Row Racing, Phoenix Racing, Penske Racing, and Roush Racing in his Cup career, which began in 2000. The winner of thirty-one Cup career races, Busch was driving for Roush Racing when he won the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series championship. When he won the 2004 title, it was the first-ever season using the "Chase for the Cup" points format. With a 2006 win in the Busch Series, he became one of only 31 drivers to win races in all three of NASCAR's top divisions: the Cup Series, the Xfinity Series, and the Camping World Truck Series.
context_section_description: Busch had his outbreaking race for his new team at Fontana. He led a bit of the race after Jimmie Johnson blew a tire with 7 laps to go. He led on the restart against teammate Tony Stewart but lost the lead on the final lap after allowing Kyle Busch to slip past and win.
  The next week at the STP 500, on lap 43, Busch collided with Brad Keselowski on pit road during a caution, causing massive damage to Keselowski's car. There would be several instances of beating and banging between the two drivers after Keselowski's car was repaired and came out of the garage. By the end of the race, Busch was battling Jimmie Johnson for the lead in the final 27 laps. Busch took the lead with 11 laps remaining, and kept it to win his first race since 2011, and first at Martinsville since 2002.
  At Darlington, while running in the top five with 3 laps to go, Busch got tapped from behind by Clint Bowyer and spun out, hitting a barrier head-on. Because of energy-absorbing walls, Busch was uninjured, but waved angrily towards Bowyer under caution and showed discontent with Bowyer in post-race ceremonies. In regards to the incident with Bowyer, Busch said "That was a terrible way to end what could have been a decent night. We struggled at times to get the balance of the Haas Automation Chevrolet right, but we kind of found our spot just past the halfway point and made slight adjustments the rest of the way. We called for a two-tire stop at the end hoping to gain some track position, but it seemed like everyone had the same idea. We gained a little, but the guys behind us all had four tires. I tried to hold them off the best I could, but someone (Bowyer) moved me out of their way and it ruined our night. I hate it for the team, but we keep learning each week and we will get better."
  At the Coca-Cola 600, Busch in his attempt to complete all 1,100 miles of the 2014 Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day, came up 114 miles short, blowing an engine with less than 30 laps left.
  At Pocono, Busch qualified third. He led 5 laps throughout the race and ran in the top five all day long. He ultimately finished third; his best finish since his win at Martinsville.
  At Daytona Busch qualified 42nd; despite this Busch led the most laps. However, he got passed by Aric Almirola on lap 111. 5 laps later a rain-shower soaked the speedway on lap 116 ending the race. In an interview, a disappointed Busch said "I didn't do my job. Third is good but I wanted to win." After the race, Busch was penalized 10 points and Daniel Knost was fined $10,000 for an illegal window automotive part accidentally installed before the race. Busch elected not to appeal the penalty.
  After Daytona, Busch did much better. He had a top-five finish at Pocono and Watkins Glen. Daniel Knost parted ways with Kurt Busch mid-way into the Chase and Knost was replaced with Tony Gibson. Knost was given to Busch's teammate Danica Patrick. With Gibson as his new crew chief, Kurt did significantly better, qualifying his remaining races in the top ten. His best finish in a race during the Chase was seventh twice-at Talladega and Phoenix.
caption: Busch at his souvenir trailer signing autographs at the 2014 Pocono 400
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