DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — As suspended NASCAR driver Kurt Busch started his appeal hearing, his replacement tried to get up to speed for the Daytona 500.
Busch began the appeals process Saturday across the street from Daytona International Speedway. Regan Smith, meanwhile, was preparing to take his place in the No. 41 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Busch was suspended indefinitely Friday after a Delaware judge said the 2004 Cup champion almost surely choked and beat a former girlfriend last fall at Dover International Speedway. The suspension came two days before the Daytona 500, prompting Chevrolet to cut ties with Busch and leading Stewart-Haas to switch to Smith.
Smith got to the track early Saturday to get fitted for the seat and learn the nuances of the team and the car.
Crew members used a thick piece of black tape to cover Busch’s name above the car window. Shortly afterward, Smith climbed in and was one of the first to turn laps in the final practice session for the Daytona 500.
"There are a lot of people that have had their hands on that race car, have worked hard on that race car and they deserve to still have the opportunity to go out and win that race," Smith said. "And that’s what we’re going to try and do for them."
Smith had a 90-minute practice to get accustomed to the car, his crew and the draft at the high-banked, high-speed tri-oval. Then he had to qualify and race in the Xfinity season opener later in the day.
Busch, meanwhile, seemingly slipped into NASCAR headquarters without drawing any attention from a handful of reporters staked outside.
A man and a woman offered Busch support with protest signs outside the building. They read, " ISupportKurtBusch" and " IStandWithKurt."
Luke Burrett, creator and CEO of an apparel brand in which Busch has invested, tried on Twitter to organize a rally for Busch. But only about six fans showed up.
Regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s appeal, SHR plans to stick with Smith for the "Great American Race."
"I believe the team had a plan in place, whenever that was, and I spoke to somebody this past week at one point and that was about the extent of what I knew about was going on," Smith said. "I’ve been kind of focused on what I had to do to get ready for our season on the other side. Really, I haven’t paid much attention otherwise."
Crew chief Tony Gibson said the team would be "OK" despite the last-minute switch to Smith.
"We just want to make sure he knows where all the switches are, the mirror, is comfortable and not put ourselves in any danger," Gibson said. "We absolutely have the same expectations. He’s a fantastic drafter, he’s proven that before. He can win. We’re expecting to win."
It’s unclear what SHR will do beyond Daytona.
"We haven’t spoken about anything beyond that," SHR executive vice-president Brett Frood said.
Smith drove co-owner Tony Stewart’s No. 14 car last season at Watkins Glen after Stewart hit and killed a fellow driver who got out of his car in a short-track race. Smith, who has one Cup victory, also filled in two races in 2012 while Dale Earnhardt Jr. recovered from a concussion.
"He’s a good fit, he’s in the family and he’ll get us through this week," SHR competition director Greg Zipadelli said. "It’s a shame we are going through this, but it’s what we are dealt. We’ll make the best of it and see where it goes from here."
