Is Busch-Earnhardt comparison fair?
Jeff Owens
Jeff Owens has been covering NASCAR since 1991 and began covering the circuit full time in 1993. He has been with Street & Smith's Sports Group since 1998.
Last week I wrote columns on SceneDaily and FoxSports.com comparing Kyle Busch to Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Not surprisingly, my comments created quite a stir, especially among Earnhardt fans who are incredulous that anyone would dare compare Busch to Earnhardt.
Some agreed, saying that Busch does demonstrate some of the same talent, driving style and aggressiveness as Earnhardt. (And he demonstrated that again at Darlington, winning despite damaging his car by smacking the wall half a dozen times. The only other driver I’ve seen do that is – you guessed it – Earnhardt).
But many Earnhardt fans can’t stand such comparisons. Most were livid when Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart were compared to Earnhardt.
Why?
Is it simply because they don’t like Gordon, Stewart or Busch? Or is it because they believe Earnhardt was so great that he is beyond comparison?
Here’s what I don’t understand: If Earnhardt was one of the greatest drivers of all time – and, clearly, he was – aren’t such comparisons among the highest compliments he could receive?
Shouldn’t it be flattering and a source of pride for his fans to have Earnhardt compared to today’s hottest stars and most successful drivers?
Kyle Busch also reminds some of Gordon and Stewart, but I doubt their fans would be so livid over such comparisons. To say that Busch is starting to look like Gordon and Stewart is a testament to how great Gordon and Stewart have been during their best seasons.
Busch has a long way to go before he reaches the status of Earnhardt, Gordon or even Stewart.
But the fact that he is showing the potential to get there is significant and noteworthy, and it makes such comparisons fair.
Unless you’re an Earnhardt fan.
No fans in NASCAR are more loyal and passionate than Earnhardt fans, but sometimes they can be a strange lot.
