NASCAR driver and Las Vegas native Kyle Busch, right, autographs a Kellogg's cereal box Friday after qualifying 12th for Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Nextel Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Busch, 21, will start 20th in today's Busch Series race.
Kyle Busch is unlike the other Nextel Cup drivers in their 20s.
Away from the track he still has fun, like learning to surf in Hawaii during the offseason or blasting over sand dunes near Baker, Calif.
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But much of his free time is devoted to preparing for life after driving 200 mph.
Busch, 21, started Kyle Busch Motorsports about three years ago near his home in Mooresville, N.C.
The Las Vegas native says with a grin that the operation was started to help provide tax deductions. But it has turned into a growing business, and the beneficiary is Alex Haase, a 17-year-old junior at Centennial High School.
Busch will sponsor Haase in the regional NASCAR Grand National West Division this year for a Southern California-based team that has a car formerly driven by current Cup driver David Gilliland.
"This could translate into something bigger down the road," Busch said of race-team ownership status. He drives part time in the Craftsman Truck Series for owner Billy Bellew, and he might begin taking a bigger role with that team.
"He's looking to step back and let me take over that deal," said Busch, who Friday qualified 20th for today's Busch Series race and 12th for Sunday's Cup race.
It was a big moment for Haase to be sitting on the stage next to Busch in the media center of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
"There are a lot of young racers out there," Haase said. "(With Busch) I have a lot of good backing and good equipment. Now I have to prove myself."
Haase will run in all the Grand National West races and compete in the Super Late Models divisions at the LVMS Bullring and short track in Irwindale, Calif., when his West schedule allows.
Busch said he plans to return to his hometown to compete in three Super Late Models races at the Bullring this year, two in the summer and one in the fall.
