Kurt Busch knows his spirit is willing. He’s just hoping the rest of the details can catch up.

The NASCAR icon, who has flirted with the idea of licensing in a Pro Stocker through drag racing school instructor Roy Hill, paused for a moment on Wednesday afternoon to sign his newly-acquired NHRA Super Gas license.

Busch was at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C., completing his licensing runs under the guidance of Hill.

“Roy Hill and his school put me through the rigors today,” said Busch, who drove a 180-mph Top Sportsman-style Mustang. “He’s pounded on me to the point when I stand up; I am a few inches shorter. This has been an awesome experience and Roy’s way of teaching reminds me a lot of my dad when I was first getting started in oval track racing.”



Now A Licensed Super Gas Racer, NASCAR Racer Wants To Race Gainesville

Kurt Busch knows his spirit is willing. He’s just hoping the rest of the details can catch up.

The NASCAR icon, who has flirted with the idea of licensing in a Pro Stocker through drag racing school instructor Roy Hill, paused for a moment on Wednesday afternoon to sign his newly-acquired NHRA Super Gas license.

Busch was at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C., completing his licensing runs under the guidance of Hill.

“Roy Hill and his school put me through the rigors today,” said Busch, who drove a 180-mph Top Sportsman-style Mustang. “He’s pounded on me to the point when I stand up; I am a few inches shorter. This has been an awesome experience and Roy’s way of teaching reminds me a lot of my dad when I was first getting started in oval track racing.”

The next goal for Busch is the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., and if everything goes as planned, he’ll compete in the Super Gas (9.90) with a 1970 Dodge Challenge prepared in his shop. The key will be finding the spare time in his demanding NASCAR schedule to finish the car.

“It’s a multiple personality car,” Busch confirmed. “This car is a combination of daily driver and built to NHRA specs to run Super Gas. We have visions of also running in the NMCA, IHRA and whatever places we can find when it comes time to play.”

Busch’s car, when it’s finished, will be a work, of musclecar art. There will be no decals except for the required Lucas Oil Sportsman Series decal, and the obligatory Roy Hill’s Drag Racing School.

He and his team have ensured the classic Mopar retains the stock center section. They tied the front and rear clip together.

Power for Busch’s car comes from a turbocharged Generation III Hemi engine which he expects to run initially on racing gasoline. He’ll likely foot brake the car with a powerglide transmission and no electronics.

All of these Gatornationals plans are contingent on whether or not he gets the car finished.

“This drag racing stuff, because I am so new to it, is a new challenge and I am up for the contest,” said Busch, when asked if he’s getting butterflies in anticipation. “This whole experience reminds me of the days when I started oval racing.”

He’s a pretty secure in his talents NASCAR driver, but where does Busch rank himself as a rookie drag racer?

“I’d say I’m maybe a 5,” he admitted. “Roy might say I’m a 4, or he might say I’m an 8. I will say that I feel comfortable enough to get in the car and make some passes.”

And for Busch, if he races in Gainesville, there will be a bittersweet feeling. Missing from the starting line will be longtime friend and his drag racing advocate Don “Snake” Prudhomme. The two were once teammates on the Miller beer team until the brewery pulled its drag racing sponsorship in favor of an increased NASCAR presence.

Prudhomme carried U.S. Smokeless Tobacco backing until last year when the contract expired.

“It will be a bittersweet feeling,” Busch said. “I just wish I could help him get back out on the track.”

But for now, Busch will do his best to earn his place in drag racing, just like Prudhomme … if the details work out.