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NASCAR Sprint Cup's Kyle Busch will take on local fans in go-kart race at Craig's Cruisers

By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press

Kyle Busch is coming off his first NASCAR Sprint Cup win of the season. Think you can beat him in a go-kart?Jeff Gordon had no luck holding off Kyle Busch in Saturday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond.

Local drivers soon will find out if they can do better against one of NASCAR’s most exciting and controversial stars.

Busch, who won for the first time this season with late-race heroics at Richmond, is headed to Craig Cruisers, 5730 Clyde Park Ave. SW, in Wyoming on May 11 to participate in a go-kart race against local fans.

Michigan International Speedway officials are bringing the 25-year old Las Vegas native to West Michigan to help promote the June 13 Helluva Good Sour Cream Dips 400.

Busch will make a pit stop at Craig’s Cruisers, which includes an indoor go-kart track. Local fans will have an opportunity to test their skills against him.

Qualifying will run 9 to 11 a.m., and the cost is $5 per driver.

“We will then take the 12 fastest-qualifying times and they will be entered into a feature race against Kyle Busch. They will have the chance to race against him,” MIS public relations director Dennis Worden said.

Busch will take on the field of local drivers at 2 p.m. and will participate in a question-and-answer session with fans following the race.

Busch, who drives the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing M&M’s Toyota, has 16 career victories. He is fifth overall in the Sprint Cup points standings heading into this weekend’s race at Darlington.

“What a great chance for our fans to have the opportunity to race against Kyle Busch,” MIS president Roger Curtis said in a news release. “Kyle is one of NASCAR’s top-tier drivers, and we appreciate him giving us his time to participate in this event and provide 12 lucky fans ... the once-in-a-lifetime experience to race against him. It will be a fun day.”

A 13th spot in the field will be guaranteed to the fan who comes closest to guessing the number of M&M’s in a 20-inch vase located in the MIS ticket office in Brooklyn. Fans may stop by 8:30 to 5 p.m. each day this week. The winner will be announced at 5 p.m. May 10.

Busch is no stranger to West Michigan and will return to compete in the June 15 Rowdy’s Revenge 251 at Berlin Raceway in Marne. He also established the Kyle Busch Foundation after visiting St. John’s Home in Grand Rapids while in town to race at Berlin in 2007. St. John's is among the organization's benefactors.