I didn't try to blackball Kurt Busch, Rick Hendrick says
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012
jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
(L-R) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and team owner Rick Hendrick laugh following Gordon's response to a question during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour's stop at Hendrick Motorsports on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Jeff Siner - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
(Center) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon laughs while listening to the response to a question during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour's stop at Hendrick Motorsports on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. At left is driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and at right is team owner Rick Hendrick. Jeff Siner - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
(Right-Left) NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick smiles at driver Jeff Gordon during the NASCAR Media Tour's stop at Hendrick Motorsports on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Jeff Siner - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Rick Hendrick said Wednesday he got a call in the off-season from driver Kurt Busch, who asked Hendrick if he had discouraged owner James Finch from hiring him.
Hendrick said he quickly doused the rumor and called Finch to reiterate. Busch, a former Cup champion, had abruptly left Penske Racing several days after NASCAR's post-season awards ceremonies in Las Vegas.
“I told Kurt I had no problem at all with James hiring him. I told Kurt I would tell James that, and I did,” Hendrick said.
Finch, whose team uses Hendrick engines, eventually hired Busch to drive his No. 51 Chevrolets.
“How can I tell a guy who wants to win that he can’t put a guy in the car or I wouldn’t support you? I couldn’t do that,” Hendrick said.
“I want James to do well. He won with Brad Keselowski at Talladega," Hendrick noted. "James has paid his dues and he deserves success.”
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