LOUDON, N.H. --- Joe Gibbs Racing put the brakes on some of Kyle Busch 's racing excursions, pulling him out of Saturday's NASCAR Modified race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Busch, who also has raced for Billy Ballew Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series and Braun Racing in the Nationwide Series, had planned to drive for Kevin Manion in the New England 100. He ended up watching the biggest race of the modified season from the sidelines.

"Ultimately it's (team president J.D. Gibbs ') decision and I respect that because I'm racing for his company and his dad's company," Busch said.

That didn't keep Busch from driving in two races. His Gibbs Toyota finished third in the Nationwide Series' Camping World RV Sales 200 at New Hampshire. He also drove his own Late Model racer at All-Star Speedway in Epping, N.H., Saturday night.

Busch will start 27th in today's Lenox Industrial Tools 301.

HAIL TO THE CHAMPS: Roush Fenway Racing will pay tribute to a pair of world champions -- the Red Sox and Celtics -- in today's race.

Boston's Fenway Group, which owns the Red Sox, is a part-owner of the race team.

David Ragan 's No. 6 Ford will have Red Sox decals; Matt Kenseth 's No. 17 Ford will carry the Celtics' colors -- green and white.

The race teams were at Fenway Park on Wednesday for the Red Sox-Diamondbacks game. The drivers took batting practice.

"I think that's probably one of the highlights of this year so far," Ragan said.

ELEPHANT race out: Speedway officials had to scratch an elephant race from today's pre-race ceremonies after failing to get the proper permits.

"We're disappointed, but we simply don't have the time to comply properly with all the federal procedures," said Jerry Gappens , the speedway's executive vice president and general manager.