Busch rolls out quicksilver #97 seeking repeat.

It seems that special Sharpie paint schemes are good luck for Winston Cup driver Kurt Busch, and he is determined to put the theory to the test as he seeks a repeat course success at this month's Bristol race.

The Sharpie pen brand, title sponsor of the Sharpie 500, is hoping that good fortune continues as Busch's #97 Ford Taurus returns to Bristol Motor Speedway sporting the metallic silver paint scheme that brought him victory in March. The special livery supports the launch of the Sharpie Metallic silver marker, and makes its second Bristol appearance in 2003 - and the first under the lights - at the Sharpie 500 on Saturday 23 August.

The March victory marked Busch's second in a row for the March race at Bristol and, in 2002, his first win since joining the Winston Cup, came driving - you guessed it - a lucky Sharpie marker paint scheme.

"We've won at Bristol two out of the last three times driving a special Sharpie paint job," Busch smiled, "If we can win the Sharpie 500 driving the #97 Sharpie Metallic Ford, that would be sweet - two wins for Sharpie at Bristol in one year."

The Sharpie car is decorated with eye-catching, silver-metallic splashes of colour highlighting a new metallic marker that writes on dark surfaces.

"It seems like only yesterday that Kurt was bringing home the #97 Sharpie Metallic Ford to victory lane at Bristol," said Greg Stoner, vice-president and general manager of Sharpie, "We would like to see him autograph victory lane twice this year with the Sharpie Metallic silver marker."