Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch offers humorous insight into 2009 Nationwide championship
Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch discusses his NASCAR Nationwide Series championship season Monday. // David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kyle Busch has had his share of controversial moments in his career – and even during his 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship season.
But Monday night at the joint banquet celebrating the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck series top finishers at the Loews Miami Beach, Busch was able to poke fun at himself. Others joked about Busch and his penchant for controversy, too.
One such moment came after a race at Bristol Motor Speedway earlier this year, when Busch parked his car on pit road and quickly sprinted to the infield tunnel, angry over a sixth-place finish after dominating the race.
“I guess y’all didn’t know about the valet stand that NASCAR set up for to help me with an easy escape to the tunnel,” Busch said.
Though Busch had a phenomenal season with nine victories and a series-record 5,682 points and 2,698 laps led, it wasn’t perfect. His 11 runner-up finishes was also a series record, though it was one Busch would rather not have.
Many of those second-place finishes came the fiercely-competitive Busch had led the most laps. As a result, Busch often simply didn’t want to talk to anyone.
“[ESPN’s] Mike Massaro, was it he that chased me through the garage?” Busch asked. “Wait, Dave Burns. Maybe it was Vince Welch, Jamie Little. Heck, I made more moves through the garage area than Adrian Peterson this year.”
Four of those second-place finishes came to JGR teammate Joey Logano, who drove the No. 20 Toyota with Dave Rogers as crew chief. Rogers was named Busch’s Sprint Cup crew chief late in the year.
“You know, there was a time this year where I finished second – I guess 11 of them,” Busch said. “I finished second to Joey Logano at Nashville, Kentucky, Chicago, Kansas. Oh, I did beat him at Loudon, that’s right.
“I mean, seriously, isn’t 11 second-place finishes a bit much? What’s a guy got to do to beat the new kid on the block? Oh, that’s right, take Dave Rogers and put him on his Cup program.”
Busch showed he could take as much as he could dish out, though. Championship crew chief Jason Ratcliff made reference to Busch’s second-place finishes when he said. “In my book, you’re second. No, second to none. Sorry buddy.”
Team president J.D. Gibbs also cracked a joke at Busch’s expense.
“You do have the most seconds ever, ever, ever,” Gibbs said. “Next year, we’re going to go for the most thirds.”
Even NASCAR President Mike Helton joined in the roasting of the 2009 champion. As he presented Busch with the championship ring, Helton told Busch, “I’m glad this is not a guitar.”
In one of the more controversial moments of the season, Busch smashed the Sam Bass-designed trophy that Nashville Superspeedway awards its race winners.
“I’m proud that you’re our 2009 Nationwide Series champion,” Helton said. “Don’t change. You do it your way, and it’ll work out fine. We may have to visit from time to time.”
Busch, though, acknowledged his less-than-stellar moments.
“Clearly, I’m still a work in progress,” Busch said. “… I know a caused a headache … or 10 … for the guys at JGR. But Coach [Joe Gibbs] and J.D., didn’t Smoke (Tony Stewart) break you guys in for me?”
The night wasn’t all about Busch’s off-track incidents. J.D. Gibbs spoke about Busch’s maturity throughout the year, citing his driver’s consistency and ability to pile up top finish after top finish.
“Kyle, I’ve enjoyed watching you grow, both on and off the track these past couple years,” Gibbs said. “We’re getting there, we’re getting there. The maturity he showed ... in sometimes taking a car that might not have been a winning car but making the most of it wasn’t easy. But it paid off with a championship. That’s a great lesson we all learned together.”
Busch later called the championship, his first in one of NASCAR’s national series, as “easily the biggest accomplishment in my NASCAR career.”
“I’ve heard a lot lately that because this isn’t a Cup title, and because I didn’t make the Chase, that because this is the Nationwide title, that this is some sort of consolation prize for me,” Busch said. “But [former Cup chief] Steve [Addington] is one of the guys who told me that any championship in NACSAR is a big championship.”
