M&M's Mars statement on Kyle Busch

MARS TAKES ACTION ON KYLE BUSCH’S BEHAVIOR

Busch Removed From Driving M&M’S® Car for Remaining 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races; Set to Return as Mars Driver in 2012

   Hackettstown, NJ, November 10, 2011…Mars, Incorporated announced today that they will be removing Kyle Busch from driving the M&M’S® car for the remaining two races of the 2011 NASCAR season as a result of the incident during last Friday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. The car will not run with the M&M’S® paint scheme until 2012, at which time Kyle Busch will be the driver with the expectation that no future incident take place.

    “As a proud member of the racing community, Mars and the M&M’S® brand strongly support the partnership we have with Joe Gibbs Racing and are committed to NASCAR. Yet, Kyle’s recent actions are unacceptable and do not reflect the values of Mars,” said Debra A. Sandler, Chief Consumer Officer, Mars Chocolate North America. “While we do not condone Kyle’s recent actions, we do believe that he has shown remorse and has expressed a desire to change. We believe our decision will have a positive impact on Kyle and will help him return next season ready to win.”

    “We strongly support Mars’ decision,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “This gives us all time to work together to foster a positive change where Kyle can continue racing in a way we can all be proud of.”

Who's earned most points in the Chase?

Chase Points
Driver	Pnts In Chase
Carl Edwards	313
Tony Stewart	313
Kasey Kahne	284
Matt Kenseth	272
Kevin Harvick	271

Sprint Cup Series points leader Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart have both earned exactly 313 points since the Chase started. The reason for Edwards' current three-point advantage? The three bonus points he received by winning one race in the regular season.

After the two title contenders Kasey Kahne - who is not in the Chase - has earned the most points at 284. That comes in part from five finishes of sixth or better in his last six races.

Z-Line statement on Kyle Busch

   Z-Line Designs, which sponsors Kyle Busch in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, posted a statement on its Facebook page on Tuesday regarding Busch being parked by NASCAR last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.

   "We were disappointed in Kyle Busch's actions during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. As a sponsor, it is important that those who represent our company abide by certain standards of conduct. We have expressed our concerns directly to Kyle and to Joe Gibbs Racing. We support NASCAR’s decision and support Joe Gibbs Racing as they address this issue internally."

   The company's Facebook page can be seen here.

Stewart-Haas Racing adds Outback

Stewart-Haas Racing is adding yet another sponsor to its lineup on the No. 39 team driven by Ryan Newman, The Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned.


Outback Steakhouse, a restaurant chain based in Tampa, Fla., will serve as primary sponsor on the No. 39 in at least two Sprint Cup Series races in 2012, multiple sources said.


A formal announcement of the sponsorship addition is expected Friday at Phoenix International Raceway.


The organization recently announced the addition of sponsor Quicken Loans for nine races on the No. 39 next season.

VIDEO: Stewart-Edwards good as it gets?

Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards talk about the Chase, which is down to two races after Sunday's win by Stewart at Texas. It may be down to two drivers with a realistic shot, too.

M&Ms statement about Kyle Busch

   The following statement was posted on M&Ms Facebook page in regards to the actions of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend.

   Busch was parked in Friday night's Truck race for intentionally wrecking another competitor under caution and also parked for Saturday's Nationwide race and Sunday's Cup race.

   The statement:

   "The recent actions by Kyle Busch are not consistent with the values of M&M'S and we're very disappointed. Like you, we hold those who represent our brand to a higher standard and we have expressed our concerns directly to Joe Gibbs Racing."

   The M&Ms Facebook page can be found here.

Kyle Busch issues apology letter

  To all,

 I've had a lot of time today to sit and reflect, and try to put my thoughts into words as best I can.

 I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during Friday night's Truck Series race at Texas.

 I apologize to my fans, all my sponsors, everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle Busch Motorsports.

 After talking with my team, it's great to have their support and encouragement to assure me that there are better days ahead. Even though this took place while driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports, I am sorry for how difficult this has been for everyone associated with Joe Gibbs Racing's Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series teams.

 I'd also like to apologize to Ron Hornaday Jr., and everyone associated with the No. 33 team in the Truck Series.

 I understand why I was taken out of the car for the rest of the weekend. NASCAR officials had to act, and I accept their punishment and take full responsibility for my actions.

 As a race car driver, the hardest thing to do is to sit on the sidelines listening to cars on the track when you know you should be out there competing. For this, I have no one to blame but myself.

 Through a lot of support from the people around me, I feel like I've made a lot of strides this year, but this was certainly a step backward. Moving forward, I will do everything I possibly can to represent everyone involved in a positive manner. However, I know my long-term actions will have more of a bearing than anything I say right now.

  Sincerely,

 Kyle Busch