Kurt Busch Running The Double Is A Good Thing

By Mark Young

The 2014 NASCAR season officially kicked off on Monday with the beginning of the Media Tour.  When the herd of talking and typing hair-dos and inflated egos arrived at Stewart-Haas Racing the key topics of discussion were about a leg and open wheel racing.  More to come later about Smoke's leg, and I don't care about Gene Haas' desire to own a F1 Team..........The other topic of discussion is what got my attention.  Kurt Busch wants to run the Indy 500/Coke 600 double, and I think if it happens it will really help NASCAR.

How could "The Outlaw" Kurt Busch help NASCAR?  Well he gets plenty of attention, mostly for negative reasons, and his journey back to the top has the media chasing him wherever he goes.  Last fall Kurt tested and qualified to drive an Indy car.  Why would he do that?  Why not?  He has nothing to lose and was trying to find a job.  Driving for Tony Stewart, who has raced "The Double" before doesn't hurt.  Driving for Gene Haas, who is in man-love with you and having a ton of money doesn't hurt either.

The Media will go crazy over his attempt.  There will be cameras everywhere he goes.  NASCAR fans will flock back to the TV and watch the 500, while others who are simply intrigued will tune in for the 600 to see how he does.

Chevrolet stands to get a ton of PR, Stewart-Haas will get tons of exposure, perfect for attracting a high profile sponsor, and NASCAR will get National coverage for something other than cheating or gimmick-laidened rule changes.

I hope Kurt does race the double.  I hope he finishes the 500 and I hope he does well in the 600 and that NASCAR works real hard to help him get this done so it helps them as well.

What say you?