Updated

Gene Haas says his decision to hire Kurt Busch was validated by Busch's victory last Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.

The founder of Stewart-Haas Racing hired Busch in August for a new fourth car that he funds out of pocket. Haas wanted Busch to drive a Haas Automation-sponsored car because he believed the driver could take his company to Victory Lane.

The Haas organization scored just one top-10 finish in 284 starts with 12 different drivers before Tony Stewart joined as co-owner in 2009. Since Stewart's arrival, SHR has 21 wins and one Sprint Cup championship.

But Haas badly wanted to see his own name in Victory Lane and hired Busch last summer while Stewart was recovering from his broken leg.