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closeDinner, but no F1 run: Obligation scuttles Kyle Busch's trip, demo ride
By Jim Utter
jutter@charlotteobserver.com
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Kyle Busch's opportunity to test a Formula One car for Toyota in Japan got sidelined because he needs to attend the Nationwide Series awards banquet in Orlando, Fla.
Busch was scheduled to participate in a demonstration run at a Toyota motorsports festival, during which he would run a Sprint Cup Series car and a Formula One car.
However, Busch must attend the Nationwide Series banquet the weekend the festival is scheduled. Although he hasn't run a full schedule in the series, he is still in the top 10 in series points. The top-10 drivers are obligated to attend.
Busch did not seem happy about it Friday.
"I don't get to drive the Formula One car anymore. I have to go to the Nationwide banquet and accept my sixth-place awards instead," he said. "NASCAR took me away from the Formula One car."
Busch's Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Denny Hamlin, is planning to take Busch's place at the festival and will drive the Cup car. It remains uncertain whether he will climb into an F1 car.
Representatives for Busch said he hopes to still get a test run in an F1 car, possibly in Europe next spring.