Busch brothers have fun rivalry

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS

A seven-year age gap prevented Kurt and Kyle Busch from racing against each other for championships as they were growing up in Las Vegas.

Now stars in NASCAR, their early season results have many wondering if this could be the year the Busch brothers battle for the Sprint Cup title.

They returned to home track Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday ranked first and second in the standings, with Kyle holding a three-point lead over older brother, Kurt. They are the only two drivers to nab top-10 finishes in the season’s first two races.

“I think it would be great for us two to battle each other,” Kurt said. “Every time there is a Chase we are involved in together, it seems to draw more attention. If we could do this for a season-long battle, it definitely would draw more attention to what two brothers are doing out there on the race track.”

The brothers have yet to be at the same level at the same time in NASCAR.

Kurt won the inaugural 2004 Chase for the championship, and while Kyle has flirted with the Cup, he’s yet to put together a complete 10-race Chase. The closest they’ve ever been in the final standings was 2007, when Kyle finished fifth and Kurt finished seventh.

But it’s been Kyle who’s emerged as the annual title contender, racking up 16 races over the last four years to Kurt’s seven victories.

One of those wins was at Las Vegas in 2008, when Kyle became the first Busch to visit Victory Lane here. It was a monumental moment for the Busch family, who watched the track develop as children.

Kurt, who is winless at Las Vegas, admitted Friday there’s a twinge of resentment.

“The fact that he’s won here, yeah, it stings a little bit,” Kurt said. “I’ve been on pole here, he’s been on pole, and it’s Vegas, one of the top five marquee events of the year.

With him winning here, it was great for our family and all the friends who have supported us over the years.

“I just want to be able to do it as well.”