[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 138 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              KURT BUSCH--2004 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP CHAMPION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2004

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I join millions of NASCAR fans in 
honoring the extraordinary achievement of an outstanding son of Nevada, 
Kurt Busch--the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion.
  Born in Las Vegas, and a graduate of Durango High School, Kurt 
developed his racing skills at age 14, driving Dwarf Cars to victory at 
a speedway in nearby Pahrump, Nevada, earning the title of Rookie of 
the Year in the State Championships. Still a teenager, Kurt won honors 
as Rookie of the Year for his exciting exploits racing in the Legend 
Cars Nationals, and shortly thereafter was awarded the same title for 
his tremendous performance in the Late Model Stock Southwest Series. By 
1998, Kurt became the youngest NASCAR Touring Champion with a record-
setting victory in the Featherlite Southwest Series.
  My favorite raceway, and one of the world's greatest speed venues--
the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, is Kurt's home track, where he 
accelerated his drive to the pinnacle of NASCAR in just four racing 
seasons. His exciting racing style and ``go for it'' attitude truly 
reflect the spirit of Las Vegas, from where he hails. In 2001, as part 
of the legendary Roush racing team, Kurt was recognized as NASCAR's 
Rookie of the Year, setting the stage for a fabulous string of 
victories and top-10 finishes in 2002 and 2003.
  This year, Kurt and the Roush team more than lived up to Nevada's 
State Motto: Battle Born. With Kurt at the wheel, the team overcame a 
staggering gauntlet of bad breaks during their dramatic run for the 
NEXTEL Cup, including a blown motor, blown tires, wheels falling off, 
spin-outs, and crashes. Despite tire and wheel problems in the final 
race, which would have sidelined lesser teams, Kurt, beating the odds 
in true Las Vegas fashion, piloted Number 97 to a thrilling finish for 
the Roush crew, winning the NEXTEL Cup.
  At just 26 years of age, Southern Nevada's own Kurt Busch has reached 
the top of America's most-watched sport. It is a pleasure to recognize 
in the Congressional Record the great performance of a great competitor 
from Las Vegas, Nevada, the 2004 NEXTEL Cup Champion, Kurt Busch.

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