NSCS: 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season Preview – Kurt Busch

In his second season with Stewart-Haas Racing, Kurt Busch would put together a solid effort with all sails pointing towards a positive direction on-track for 2015 – if he can survive the off-track masses.

Looking back at 2014….

Throughout the year, Busch proved that he could perform near the front of the field and put the results down on paper – if the car was underneath him, and the pieces fell together. It came together at Martinsville Speedway as he was able to hold off Jimmie Johnson for one of the biggest wins of his career. Though there’s no way to forget the weeks that followed Martinsville as there were four DNFS in the next six races. Needless to say, consistency was missing big time.

Of course, the win got Busch in the Chase – but that didn’t last long with a 36th at New Hampshire and an 18th at Dover eliminating Busch from the list of contenders. While it was a lost shot at a championship, it was a welcome opportunity to start planning for 2015. Stewart-Haas Racing made the decision to swap Danica Patrick and Busch’s crew chiefs, partnering Busch with Tony Gibson. The Results? In the final three races, Busch finished inside of the top 10 in each of them and showed speed as he was in contention, leading 16 laps.

Looking ahead at 2015…..

Now partnered with Tony Gibson, it seems as though Kurt Busch is destined to have success in 2015. As long as he keeps his temper in check and stays out of the wrecks, he should be able to post a string of consistent finishes, putting up in the top-10 in points. On top of that, contend for a couple of races and boom, he will have a couple wins under his belt as well. Gibson seems to e the perfect piece to the puzzle – old school and all –  as remember, it was an old school crew chief in Jimmy Fennig that led Busch to success before.

However, the mental status of Busch will be the question of discussion when we get to Daytona. currently going through the trial and under the gun for allegations of domestic assault, it’ll be interesting to see how that works out for him, as well as how he handles it. The Las Vegas native has to make sure to keep that at bay off the track and now let him distract him from the job at hand.