Two big blessings in one big year and the man didn’t even have to do what he does best—grab the wheel and hit the gas—to bask in them.
“I’m a big-time Cubs fan,” says superstar NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, who was among the ecstatic faithful whose thirst for Chi-Town glory was quenched when the Cubbies ended a 108-year drought with a World Series title last fall. Only weeks later came his second grand slam—marriage to polo player Ashley Van Metre.
“It seems like such a fairy tale since I met her,” Busch says, sounding every bit the swooning newlywed, whose championship-crammed life—punctuated by explosive moments well-chronicled by the media—seems calmed by the bliss. “There’s such an intense focus on the NASCAR circuit, so it’s nice to come home and have that comfort and that love and that peace of mind. And the two of us really complement each other when it comes to the sports part of it.”
Yes, let’s talk the sports part—as in NASCAR Weekend, barreling into the Vegas scene with Busch on the bill, participating in the pole-qualifying during March 10’s Stratosphere Pole Day for March 12’s centerpiece event—the Kobalt 400 Monster Energy Cup Series race. Also on the schedule: practice on March 10 for March 11’s Xfinity Series Boyd Gaming 300 Race Cup at the speedway; and a revved-up entertainment slate, including March 11’s RaceJam Concert at the Fremont Street Experience (starring Survivor and Night Ranger) and the Neon Garage, a weekendlong festival of live music and entertainment featuring up-close, behind-the-glass speedway views of the garages and Victory Lane.
Winner of 27 cup career races and the 2004 cup series championship (and older bro of fellow racer Kyle), Busch nurtured his pedal-to-the-metal soul growing up in Las Vegas and via that charming childhood pursuit—go-kart racing.
“My dad got me a small go-kart as a gift,” Busch recalls. “He raced at the local track in Las Vegas all through the ’80s and ’90s. When 16, I jumped into my first competitive race against kids from around the valley, and I raced along with my dad. He seemed to win all the time. When that’s instilled in you about winning, I wanted to compete.”
Dad was clearly an influence. Mom wasn’t as sure. “She thought I should go play baseball, so she kept giving me a bat and a ball and a glove,” Busch says. “She still worries to this day—that’s what moms do. But she is very supportive, helping us at the track.”
Adrenaline-fueled as the sport is, prerace “zen” is equally vital to Busch, who values a two-hour window between his fan meet-and-greets and the race. “I grab a big healthy lunch and turn on some jazz music to zone out from the outside world,” says Busch—who mostly drives a Ford Expedition when among we mere mortal motorists. Plus a couple of sports cars. Plus a few ’70s muscle cars. Plus his dad’s “fleet” of 1932 Fords that he tinkers with for fun.
And you’ll know when Busch is in his most serene (and aggressive) state of mind. “The best moment of the weekend is the National Anthem and knowing I’m getting belted into a car to go 200 miles per hour.”
Grab the wheel and hit the gas, dude.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, times vary, March 10-12, $89-$245 weekend package plus tax and fee. 800.644.4444
