Busch won't compete in RoC
Former NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Kurt Busch has not been able to make it to Paris to compete in today's Race of Champions at the Stade de France
Event co-organiser Fredrik Johnsson had hoped to be able to bring Busch over as a last-minute replacement for Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Scott Speed, who was forced to withdraw yesterday following his Formula One testing accident at Jerez on Thursday.
Busch had hoped to be able to re-arrange his schedule to travel to France to compete, but this has proved impossible.
With no other replacements forthcoming, American Rally Champion Travis Pastrana will act as both a race and rally driver in the Race of Champions, as well as driving single-handedly in the Nations Cup event.
Organisers also made a last-ditch move to bring Champ Car race winner and NASCAR racer Robby Gordon into the fold, but he too was unavailable at such short notice.
"Travis was up for representing the USA in the Nations Cup on his own in both the racing driver and rally driver groups," said Johnsson.
"Germany, against whom the Americans have been drawn in the quarter finals, have accepted this situation."
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