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Young Kyle Busch has run off at the mouth again Getty Images/Sam Greenwood
I think we can all understand where Kyle Busch is coming from. While he was at Hendrick Motor Sports he was fairly successful winning four races in a little more than three seasons. Rick Hendrick then made the decision to replace Kyle with NASCAR’s most popular driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. starting with the 2008 season.
Now it can be said that Kyle landed on his feet with Joe Gibbs racing, and he sure has had a lot of success over there. However we must remember that this was really the second time the Kyle got screwed out of a ride with a Top Tier NASCAR organization. Kyle was all locked in to a Roush Racing development deal before NASCAR changed their age limit rules, and lost his ride as both Busch brothers fell out of favor with the Roush management.
If I were Kyle I would feel bitter about how his tenure at Hendricks ended but the results he has achieved since than make his comment Friday seem pretty silly, and ultimately unnecessary.
Busch had this to say about the crew chief change on the #88 team, "It's never Junior; it's always the crew chief." He continued, “He's got his hands full, I guess, having to deal with what's going on, and if Junior doesn't run well, then he [Lance McGrew] is going to be the problem' again. You've got to make the most popular driver in the sport competitive, so you gotta do what you gotta do, I guess,"
Now there is a lot of truth in what Kyle is saying. Dale Junior fans are unwilling to accept or look at Junior’s role in the performance of his team in 2009. However this is yet another public relations miscue by the younger Busch brother.
By saying this he only reinforces his reputation as a spoiled brat. Here he is driving for one of the premier NASCAR teams, having the kind of success that is totally unprecedented in this sport, and he takes a pretty cheap shot at the man who replaced him at his former team.
There is one thing Kyle is going to have to reconcile within himself, beyond records, success, or stats Dale Jr. is the most popular driver in the sport today. Regardless of what Kyle does this season or in the future that is going to continue to be the case. It isn’t fair, it isn’t right, it just is. I don’t like it anymore than Kyle does but he is damaging his own reputation and legacy taking a cheap shot at NASCAR’s most popular driver who is struggling right now.
Comments
The reason Jr. is popular is because he doesn't take cheap shots, admits his mistakes, and apoligizes when wrong. He is a pretty stand up guy. He is not a nascar "Robot". As far as the 5 or 10 different crew chiefs, that is silly. He has really only had two for a length of time that they could really effect the performance. Tony SR and Jr. 17 wins only a couple with JR. Draw your own conclusions.
Kyle
Quit whinning bud. You will never be a Earnheart, Thats just the way it is. The Only thing I would like to see is more of his Father in him. Sr. would have already put your ass in the wall. Jr. just needs to be more agreasive. He should just whip your little ass. But he's a better person than that, that's why he's the most popular driver.
Jr. will never be what his dad was. It just ain't going to happen. Let's face it: Kyle is more like Dale Sr. than Jr. is. The fact that Kyle doesn't kiss up to Nascar makes me love him even more! GO 18! This is his Championship year!
I am not a rabid fan, I do watch every cup race that I can, visit Daytona and Homestead now and then. Jr is ok but so are many others. I like rooting for the underdog. I was so annoyed Hendricks dumped Kyle for the sake of a "name" & the fact I don't care for 24 and 48 added fuel to my fire. I can't tell you how happy I am to see Kyle doing great. How did you (anyone) choose a driver to root for? My 1st Daytona and 1st nascar race ever I was asked who my driver was. My response was ,"who is driving the Miller Lite car" (note ML is my favorite beer). I was heckled for that choice, yet I stood by Rusty, and today support Kurt. That said, I would still like to see Jr in a red and white Bud car. You do what you have to do, Jr isn't any different. Only the point standings support me, my rabid Jr buddies still consider my choice stupid. Maybe the reason I chose is stupid, but I watch races for entertainment and don't lose sleep if "my" driver doesn't win. I hope Jr comes around for ya'll.
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