Kyle Busch Will Leave Hendrick Motorsports
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports and four-time Nextel Cup race winner, will depart Hendrick Motorsports at the conclusion of the 2007 season. The following is a statement from Busch regarding the decision to leave:

“We had been working on a contract extension for me to remain at Hendrick Motorsports, but after prolonged negotiations, we mutually agreed that a fresh start was in order. I have been granted a release after the 2007 season. I have tremendous respect for Mr. Hendrick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. It’s where I grew up, and I have a lot of great memories.

“I kind of feel like I’m graduating. I’m excited about my future, and I know a lot of opportunities await because of what everyone at Hendrick did for me – on the track and off. I still have a job to do this year, and will give it my all – just as I’ve always done – to make sure we put the No. 5 car in victory lane a few more times before the year is out.”

Ginn Racing Reconsiders, Regan Smith Will Run At Kentucky
After a re-evaluation, Ginn Racing driver Regan Smith will compete in this weekend's NASCAR Busch Series race at Kentucky Speedway. As stated by Ginn Racing last week, Smith's performance has excelled and his flexible schedule is being reworked to continue his preparation for a full-time Nextel Cup ride in 2008. Smith is slated to compete in a variety of racing series during the remaining weekends of the NASCAR season. After Kentucky, Smith will drive the 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet in the Cup races in Sonoma, Calif. (June 24) and New Hampshire (July 1). He shares the 01 Cup ride with veteran Mark Martin. Smith is also scheduled to drive in the June 23 NASCAR Grand National Division race in Sonoma as well as the July 6 Busch race at Daytona International Speedway. The 23-year-old driver is ranked fifth in the Busch Series driver point standings, the highest position for a non-Nextel Cup regular. His season record includes three top fives and five top 10s. He finished fifth in Nashville last week.

Terry Labonte Tests Canada Road Course
History was made on Tuesday when Terry Labonte tested with members of Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) NASCAR Busch Series teams at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in preparation for the inaugural Canadian Busch Series race scheduled for Aug. 4 at the Montreal road course.

It was the first time a Busch Series race car has turned a lap on the 13-turn 2.709-mile circuit, which has been home to the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix since 1978. The 2007 edition of the race was held last weekend.

The two-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion (1984, 1996) and four-time series road course race winner drove RCR’s No. 21 AutoZone Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS. He made a total of 21 laps (57 miles) with a fast lap of 1:49:86 minutes at an average speed of 105.602 mph.

“The test went very well and it was an honor and quite a thrill to drive the first laps here in a NASCAR stock car,” said Labonte. “The biggest thing was figuring out the braking points that will be used for the race. We can’t get into the corners as deep as the Formula 1 cars. I think there will be at least two good places to pass so track position will be very important but it’s the same as Sonoma (Infineon Raceway) or some of the ovals that NASCAR races at.”

Labonte, retired from fulltime NASCAR competition, was chosen to be the test driver because he will not compete in the Canadian event. All the information collected from the test, including videotape taken of the course from laps in a street-legal sedan, will be shared with every Busch Series team that will participate in the event.

RCR did a similar test in January 2005 with driver Jeff Burton prior to the first Busch Series race at Autodromos Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.