Kurt Busch says he's reclaiming his passion for racing in what should be a relaxing season for the former NASCAR champion.
Busch split with Penske Racing in December and has landed a ride with underfunded Phoenix Racing. He says driving for the small team with very little pressure will be good for him, both personally and professionally.
Busch found he was not happy in his final years at Penske, and his many public blowups were a result of how tightly he was wound.
Even though it will be difficult to compete for wins at NASCAR's elite Sprint Cup level, Busch thinks he'll be better off.
He says winning won't be the most important thing anymore, as he'll use all of 2012 to put together a deal for 2013.
IN MEMORY OF WHELDON: An auction dedicated to the late Dan Wheldon raised more than $600,000 that will go to his wife and two young sons.
The final total of $627,203 was released Friday by organizers of the Dan Wheldon Auction. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was killed in an accident in the Oct. 16 IndyCar season finale.
IndyCar driver Graham Rahal announced after the accident that he planned to auction off his helmet from the race and donate the proceeds to Wheldon's wife, Susie. As word spread about his gesture, the entire racing community began donating items for Rahal to auction off.
Within a few days, the auction grew too big for Rahal to handle alone. It was taken over by eBay, which waived all fees, and Auction Cause, an auction management agency.
SEEKING AN INDY RACE: The owners of the Milwaukee Mile are hoping to host an IndyCar race at the track in June.
IndyCar has run seven events at the 1-mile oval since 2004, but it's not on the schedule for next season that was announced in late December. The IndyCar schedule currently only has 15 events and needs one more to fulfill its contract with title sponsor Izod.
DAKAR RALLY: Robby Gordon of the United States won the 12th stage and Stephane Peterhansel of France kept his overall lead in the Dakar Rally in Peru on Friday.
Gordon won the 152-mile special stage in a Hummer, while Peterhansel retained his overall lead in front of Mini teammate Joan Roma of Spain.
The Associated Press
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