Is Kurt Busch and His Old-School Team the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Wild Card?

Kurt Busch may now be the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing who will rally his team. He may also outperform the likes of his replacement at Penske Racing, A.J. Allmendinger, and the latest acquisition at Richard Petty Motorsports, Aric Almirola.

Busch is still a first-class driver, NASCAR Cup champion and a driver with outstanding credentials—except for some personality flaws that have been too disrespectful to ignore.

After rides with two of NASCAR's top-level teams, Roush Racing and Penske Racing, Busch now finds himself having to regroup with an underfunded team at least for one year.

The new driver for Phoenix Racing had walked into the shop to find a Christmas Tree with a sign that read, "Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is a great driver! Phoenix Racing."

Team owner James Finch got his wish. Busch will pilot the No. 51 for the 2012 season.

Finch is a guy who made his money in construction so he could go racing. He has been running cars in the Cup series since 1990 but has only one win with Brad Keselowski at Talladega in 2009.

The win record may well change for Phoenix Racing with Busch and the support of Hendrick Motorsports' engines and chassis. The No. 51 team could rally behind their driver to become a force to be reckoned with.

Busch had said the fun factor was gone at Penske Racing. Now, along with his coaching from a sports psychologist, he has taken a step back in order to once again go forward in his NASCAR career.

The pressure to win and meet sponsor obligations is not like it was. In a press release, Busch said, "We're going to run the full schedule together and we're going to have fun doing it."

The 2004 NASCAR Cup series title winner, with 24 career wins in the series, will be more involved in the day-to-day preparation of cars.

Busch stated, "It's going to be old-school racing, where we show up, race hard and go for the win. And if we don't win, we'll go back to the shop, work hard and do it all over again next week."

During testing at Daytona, I witnessed Busch doing exactly what he said he was doing with the lower-tier team.

Between runs on the track with his No. 51, he was very interactive in the garage area. Dressed in his crisp, black driver's suit, he thought nothing of sliding under the car on his back and working on it.

Phoenix racing may suddenly become the little train that could with the dedication of Finch and the scrappiness of Busch. This team will not be afraid to get down and dirty in an effort to win races and finish well.

The contract with Busch appears to be for one year. That may be the perfect scenario to help an emotional driver regain his footing and prepare to return to a top-tier team.

Finch has worked with all types of personalities during his time in the construction business. He has probably heard profanity that would pale in comparison to what Busch has said.

Finch has made it clear that he won't stand for any profanity-laced tirades from his new driver like those that cost Busch a premium ride with Penske Racing.

Finch stated, "I told Kurt, 'I won't fire you and you won't quit. We'll do whatever it takes and roll in the mud if we have to to win." He added, "All we want to do is win."

Busch will be participating in the Budweiser Shootout prior to the Daytona 500.

Finch is known for healthy restrictor plate cars. They are expected to be strong contenders in the "All American Race" next month.

Busch said, "Christmas came early for me this year, and I honestly can't wait for the season to begin."

Many feel Busch will implode as the season rolls on and he realizes the difference between his previous level of equipment and support versus what he has to deal with at Phoenix Racing.

Others think that the adversity before Busch will only make him come back stronger and wiser.

He knows this is a last shot at proving he is worthy of driving for a major team in the future. Busch is using this year to rebuild relationships with drivers, sponsors, owners and fans.

His agenda is all about the 2013 season.

This is a team that could surpass the performance of drivers with Michael Waltrip Racing and other teams at that level, although it is going to be an uphill battle for consistency.

Phoenix Racing may well be the surprise wild-card team of the season. Don't be surprised to find Busch in the 2012 Chase—just as he has been in six of the last eight seasons.

It has also been announced by Phoenix Racing that Busch will pilot the No. 1 car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series on a limited schedule, starting with Daytona.

Quotes courtesy of an official press release.