Motor Sports: Future looks bright for Busch, Hendrick Motorsports

Rick Hendrick has to be glowing following the conclusion of the ARCA RE/MAX series' Discount Auto Parts 200.

Eighteen-year-old Kyle Busch, piloting a Hendrick Motorsports research and development car, fought back from a one-lap penalty to claim his third ARCA victory in just eight starts.

Kyle, the younger brother of Nextel Cup star Kurt Busch, was penalized on lap 18 of 80, after a crew man jumped over the pit wall without an ARCA regulated helmet, which resulted in a one lap penalty.

Not losing his cool, Kyle shot past defending ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel to position himself at the tail end of the lead lap. A quick caution then allowed the Hendrick Motorsports phenom to bring his Ditech.com chevy to the end of the field.

He later disposed of all 20 cars still on the lead lap in rather exciting fashion, and later passed leader Frank Kimmel to take the lead with 20 laps remaining. Kyle never looked back and went on to take the victory.

I had the privlege of watching Kyle Busch weave in and out of the competition first hand, sitting high in the grandstands near the entrance of pit road. I may be young, but I have seen a lot of talented drivers in my short life, and Kyle Busch ranks near the top of my list.

You could hear the buzz throughout the Daytona International Speedway grandstands as Busch stole the show.

"I think I like this Busch kid," and "That kid can drive," could be heard from every direction.

Adding Kyle to his team in 2003, it's almost impossible to fathom the dynasty that Rick Hendrick is in the midst of forming in the NEXTEL Cup Series. Take a look at his current driver lineup for 2004.

Jeff Gordon is a four-time NASCAR Winston Cup Champion and has 64 victories in 11 full seasons.

Jimmie Johnson has ranked in the top-10 in points for 69 straight races and has six wins in two seasons.

Terry Labonte is a two-time Winston Cup Champion (one for Hendrick) and has 22 victories and zero DNF's in 2003.

Brian Vickers is the 2003 Busch Grand National Series Champion and the 2004 NEXTEL Cup ROTY contender.

Kyle Busch is running a full Busch schedule in 2004 for Vicker's championship Busch winning team.

Currently, Hendrick Motorsports features four of NEXTEL Cup's most respected and talented drivers. Gordon and Labonte have five championships between them, Johnson is one of the favorites take the NEXTEL Cup trophy in 2004 and Vickers has shown that with a good car, he can win titles as well.

Kyle was on the fast track for stardom at age 16 after earning a couple of top-10s for Roush Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series, but NASCAR then implemented an 18-year old age restriction, which sent him back to the ASA ranks. Two years later, he is now a contenter for the Busch championship for Hendrick Motorsports in his rookie season.

There is no question that Kyle will soon be a force for Hendrick Motorsports in the NEXTEL Cup Series, but where does he fit into the organization? Will Hendrick form a fifth team? It's possible, but Terry Labonte may soon follow in Bill Elliot's footsteps and retire from NASCAR competiton, leaving the No. 5 seat open for the young phenom to take.

We'll have to wait see what develops in the Hendrick stable, but for now the team has four NEXTEL Cup drivers capable of winding up in the top-10 in points, and a hungry 18-year old eyeing his first Busch championship.

To comment on this article, you can email Mike Lovecchio at mlovecchio@columnist.com