Busch Missed Smoke’s “Give and Take” Lectures
May 5, 2008 by Tim Zaegel
Filed under Racing
Image details: The Dan Lowry 400 served by picapp.com
Kyle Busch outraged every single Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan when he spun him out during Saturday night’s race, which means that he now has approximately ten fans left out there (to include Darrell Waltrip). For those of you who have been living under a rock, Busch and Earnhardt were running neck and neck with only three laps left in the race. Earnhardt had been running the high line while Busch took control of the bottom of the track. When both drivers were coming out of the turn, Busch’s car apparently got loose (depending on who you ask), and he got into the back end of him and sent the no. 88 car spinning. Busch went onto finish second in the race, and Earnhardt was relegated to a 15th place finish. More importantly, Busch’s ability to keep his car intact gave him the points lead in the Sprint Cup Series, while Junior’s winless streak has now reached a career-high 72 races, with his last victory coming at Richmond in May of 2006.
Following the race, Busch was briefly confronted by a member of Junior’s pit crew, which Kyle stated was uncalled for. He went onto say in his post-race interview that it was unintentional and nothing more than a racing incident, citing that he probably could have gone lower, Junior probably could have stayed higher, and that they both could have given each other more room. He said it was unfortunate because Junior could have finished second, or maybe even first.
Junior’s response following the race was a little less calm. When asked if Busch would need some extra security leaving Richmond, Earnhardt said, “Yes, from all of us!” NASCAR’s most popular driver then went onto talk about how the most disappointing part of it was that he’s prided himself on being able to collect strong finishes this year, and they ran strong all night and had a top-three car, and that they should have finished in the top-three. In terms of the accident itself, Junior said, “I haven’t seen the replay. Tony Jr. said it looked like Kyle got loose underneath me. That happens.”
An unbaised eye’s view would say that it’s doubtful that Busch actually intended to wreck Earnhardt out of the race, because he’d already had a couple of better opportunities to do so prior to the incident itself. Plus, to think that any driver would put their own car at risk and potentially take themselves out of line for a victory is debatable. What does disturb me, however, is that these incidents happen far too often with Busch. He’s completely reckless out there on the track, and nearly impossible to drive side-by-side with over the course of multiple laps. This became evident during a Craftsman Truck Series race earlier in the year at Martinsville when he took out Johnny Benson in the closing laps while “racing” for third.
Busch made several remarks insinuating that drivers are scared of wrecking Dale Junior because of his popularity, and that he was just doing what he had to do to secure a win for his team. He also added, “It’s just unfortunate circumstances for him because he didn’t get a win, and for me now, because I’ve got to put up with it.”
For more insight and quotes concerning the incident, be sure to check out the following posts:
- Race Re-Cap: Rumble in Richmond over at the Finish Line
- Richmond Quotes over at Unrestricted
- NASCAR Lost & Found Dept: “the Big One” over at Full Throttle
Today, on NASCAR Now, Dale Jr said that it might have been retaliation for him dumping Busch last season at Kansas. Busch said that he doesn’t do retaliation, that he lets the past be the past. Even Randy LaJoie said it was just racing.
Yeah, I’ve said time and time again that I don’t think it was intentional … but, Kyle’s always involved in crap like this. I know it was just racing, but at what point are these incidents considered too often? As good as Kyle is behind the wheel, it really baffles me that he can’t race somebody side-by-side for more than a lap.
And, I’m not even a Junior fan … lol
Yeah, intentional or not, Kyle’s always in some crap. Of course, according to a Joe Menzer article I just read over at nascar.com, it’s good to have another “bad boy” in the mix. (Good for the sport/ratings/fans; not good, however, for my anxiety level. LOL.)
Ten fans? Let’s see, that’s me, tiredawg, 4ever3, DW, his Mom, and his Dad. Who are the other four? Maybe his girlfriend, but, unless you’re Jeff Burton or Kevin Harvick, your sigificant other isn’t much of a fan of you racing.
Alicia, I actually completely agree with that statement from Joe Menzer. I think NASCAR needs their “bad boys” just like any other sport does … I mean, hell, I’m a Tony Stewart fan, and he was widely regarded as a prick on the track for years. The difference, IMO, though, is that he was still somewhat sensible about it. There’s a difference between being intimidating and being reckless.
Actually, Jim, now that I know you’re a fan, I think he’s still got 11 of ‘em out there. I mis-spoke. ;)
@ Tim – Exactly. I’m not a Tony Stewart fan, but I’m not an un-fan, either (I know that’s not even a word, ha); one of my friends is a HUGE fan, so I like to pretend not to like him just for some rivalry. The truth is, I enjoy Tony’s antics (well, enjoyed, I should say – he’s so much calmer these days that I kind of miss it!). He never enraged me like Kyle did. I agree with Menzer; having a bad guy can be a good thing. For me, though, I can’t see Kyle as being the “one I love to hate,” like Jeff Gordon was for a long time (for me; now I’m just kind of like, eh, whatever).
as a hge jr. fan you hate to see that stuff happen just when the hopes were high. As the 11 busch fans they do you have a driver that will drive the wheels off a car one of the best on the track it’s just his personality our lack of one that i don’t give a crap about him he’ll get his.
Man, all you’s need to get of kyle bush’s back. Screw little e, what makes him so much more special then the otehr guys? huh?!
Well, let’s see…his friendly smile, his humble personality, his charming demeanor, his sexy accent – should I go on? I’ve got a whole list if you’re really interested.
:)
On a racing-related note, though, I don’t think anyone actually said Jr.’s “more special” than the other guys; I think the gripe is more along the lines of Kyle’s whole crappy weekend.
Alicia, I hear ya on the Gordon bit. I used to go out of my way to publically root against him every week … Gordon losing was as good as Stewart winning. Now, I just don’t really care, though.
Adam, I think Alicia hit the nail on the head. While there’s a ton of Junior fans out there, I think the bigger issue right now is Busch’s maturity level and lack of respect.