Team Caliber: Kurt Busch '02 Rubbermaid/Sharpie' Ford

By 2002, Kurt Busch had fully arrived in the Cup series. The third season of his career was technically also his first full season. In 2001, Busch missed one race due to a suspension after an altercation with Jimmy Spencer. So, in 2002, Busch raced in all 36 events, and won four of them. Between 2002 and 2005, Busch would win 14 races behind the wheel of the number 97 Ford, and he's had fewer partners as significant as Rubbermaid and Sharpie. For a closer look at this Roush Racing Ford, read on...

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The real thing: Kurt Busch seen here piloting his number 97 Rubbermaid/Sharpie Taurus during the 2002 Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photograph courtesy of Nascar Paint Schemes, x.com).

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Notes:
This 1/64 diecast was created by Team Caliber. Team Caliber was a mid‑2000s NASCAR diecast manufacturer, launched around 1999 by former Revell/SMSC execs . They focused on high-detail replicas of NASCAR cars, especially Ford models, with molded bodies, opening hoods/trunks, functional roof flaps, fabric window nets, detailed engines/interiors, and even working gear components. This car doesn't have many of those features, partly because it is an earlier example of what the company was producing in 2002. Still, by looking at the model, it's apparent that cars like these demonstrate how seriously diecast companies were getting about making their replicas as real as possible.

This is a great model from 2002. The car is in near mint condition, and comes in an easy opening clam-shell plastic case that can be resealed. The paint and print work on the car are particularly nice, and it's always fun to review the great liveries of the early 2000's. 

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Sources:
-Jayski.com
-Nascar.com
-Nascar Paint Schemes/x.com
-racing-reference.info