Kyle Busch to do a "reverse Montoya"?

[checkered]

Kyle Busch to do a "reverse Montoya"?

We need the input of our resident NASCAR crowd for this one. NASCAR star Kyle Busch to test Toyota F1, grandprix.com Obviously, being affiliated with Toyota is a huge deal but the test comes late in the season (Japan) which makes it quite unlikely an immediate move is in the works. Unless Toyota can stomach one of the brashest acts in F1 driver history. (A lot of off season testing, competing in the GP2 Asia miniseries? ... implausible, but theoretically possible.)

There'd sure be unrivalled publicity on all sides, certainly comparable to what Danica Patrick's or Marco Andretti's emergence on the F1 scene would create. And weighing the relative importance of the US market to the Japanese manufacturers, perhaps Toyota has gotten wind of an emerging move by Honda on the IRL - F1 axis and they're pondering their options.

He's originally from Las Vegas, btw. Now, that'd certainly add to the local incentive to lure F1 away from Indy. Seeing the guy's career earnings though, I doubt his ambition is solely for money, $14.086.339 at 23 years of age and running, that's a tough act to follow for any Formula One driver, let alone a rookie. His highly visible NASCAR role will help in lining up sponsorship. There's no question about Busch's potential - he's driven, talented and successful.

It'd be interesting, if a pattern of steady "driver exchange" between NASCAR and F1 were to emerge. Not to say somewhat worrying for IRL. But interesting nonetheless.


Image linked from trackbunnyfilms.com

[WhiteBlue]

If they would manage to pull that off Toyota could single handedly bring F1 back to the USA. A known star driver is the most important ingredient which he would provide. Of course Danicka or Andretti could do the trick as well. better even both Honda and Toyota. I must say I'm impressed what these guys earn.

[puttenham]

My first thought when I read this forum topic was that Kyle was too tall for F1. Research show Kyle's "program" weight is 73kg and height 1.84m which happens to be identical to Kubica's weight and height. Dan Gurney was 1.89m but I think Parkes was taller. I no longer think height will be an issue.

I also think Kyle is more addicted to his own adrenaline compared to F1 drivers. Kyle races trucks, the Nationwide Series, NASCAR and God knows what else. I do not see many F1 drivers also racing GP2 or LeMans during the season although all the F1 testing has its exciting moments. Kyle could professionally race between 80 - 100 races this season compared to 18 F1 races and 200,000km of testing

It would be interesting to see if Kyle is the "man for all seasons" driver that Tony Stewart is. Tony made a faster transition from open wheel to Nascar compared to Montoya. Tony can also drive and be competitive on dirt or in a Daytona Prototype
on the same weekend. If Tony was entered in the Indy 500, he would be a contender.

[djos]

If Tony was entered in the Indy 500, he would be a contender.

Not anymore, have you seen the size of him lately? He wouldn't fit into an Aussie V8 SuperCar let alone an open wheeler!!!

[guy_smiley]

Honda testing Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal makes a lot more sense to me than Toyota testing Kyle Busch. Anyway, I think he'll enjoy his test but don't think he'll end up doing the so-called 'reverse Montoya'

[WhiteBlue]

JPM commented on the issue and said that they probably just make a fun thing out of it. For F1 you have to train up your neck muscles several months with a very hard programm to be able to just drive the beast competitively. He trained two month before his test and could just manage 5 laps.

[DaveKillens]

From my spectating of NA$CAR, Kyle Busch is one heck of a driver. He's got all that hard aggression of youth, yet manages to avoid wrecking. He's immensely talented, and on my opinion, could be a great F1 driver.

[sharkie17]

From my spectating of NA$CAR, Kyle Busch is one heck of a driver. He's got all that hard aggression of youth, yet manages to avoid wrecking. He's immensely talented, and on my opinion, could be a great F1 driver.

i agree. As far as the neck muscle strength goes... he can manage that before the testing begin.

Kyle Busch is a great driver. We will have to see how this works out later this year.

[donskar]

Probably just a publicity ploy and a nice sop for Kyle. Certainly he is young enough and has shown plenty of speed. And if you think this through, NASCAR might actually support the move.

It certainly would generate interest - just look at this thread!

[sharkie17]

Probably just a publicity ploy and a nice sop for Kyle. Certainly he is young enough and has shown plenty of speed. And if you think this through, NASCAR might actually support the move.

It certainly would generate interest - just look at this thread!

i cant believe Bernie hasnt thrown in his support for this yet.
imagine all the NASCAR fan tuning into F1 races if this happen.

can you say "cha ching"?

[DrKyuss]

I dont think that KB would bother consider going to F1 , the F1 test makes for a good PR stunt but thats it. He would probably end up finishing 1 or 2 races in the season and destroy alot of engines and chassis along the way , if he did make it to F1. In my opinion he needs to keep hauling those large slabs of pig iron around speedways in the states.
I am a huge NASCAR fan myself and wouldn't really want him leaving the series , hes a good operator and I enjoy watching him compete , even if I don't like him personally, the series would be lacking if he was to leave.