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1. Jimmie Johnson 5878
2. Jeff Burton 5809
3. Greg Biffle 5792
4. Carl Edwards 5710
5. Clint Bowyer 5693
6. Kevin Harvick 5671
Rank Name Points
7. Tony Stewart 5650
8. Jeff Gordon 5633
9. Kyle Busch 5552
10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 5524
11. Matt Kenseth 5518
12. Denny Hamlin 5498
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Jeff Owens: Should Junior be more like Kyle Busch?

By Jeff Owens - Executive Editor

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Article Rating: 5.0
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Chris Trotman / Getty Images

Chris Trotman / Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) and Kyle Busch race at Richmond International Raceway last weekend.

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COMMENTARY
   
Kyle Busch’s spin of Dale Earnhardt Jr. while battling for the lead at Richmond was arguably the most dramatic, most exciting moment this season.
   
It put fans on the edge of their seats and gave them something to talk and argue about for weeks.
   
But perhaps the most intriguing part has been monitoring the ongoing debate among Earnhardt Jr. fans. In the days following the controversy, the tone of Earnhardt’s fans has changed dramatically, turning almost as suddenly as Junior’s spinning car.

First, Junior fans were absolutely irate that Busch wrecked their man, calling the young driver every name in the book and declaring that he clearly took out Junior intentionally.
   
Although a few conceded that it looked like a “racing incident,” most were convinced that the contact was intentional and advanced the theory that Busch did it just to get back at Junior for taking his place at Hendrick Motorsports.
   
Then, after Busch and Junior both called the wreck an accident and tried to put the incident behind them, the anger shifted to Denny Hamlin, Busch’s teammate, who stopped on the track to intentionally bring out a caution flag when he had a flat tire late just before the wreck. According to Junior fans, Hamlin’s action was a deliberate attempt to help his teammate and cost Junior the race.
   
Now, in some corners, the debate has shifted yet again. Was Kyle Busch really at fault? Is he a dirty driver, or just an aggressive, hard-nosed racer, like Dale Earnhardt Sr.?
   
This is where things get interesting.
   
Many fans, some of them seemingly staunch Earnhardt supporters, don’t blame Busch much for making the aggressive move that wound up spinning Earnhardt Jr. and possibly cost him his first win in two years.
   
How can they condemn such a move when Earnhardt Sr. did it all the time?
   
Earnhardt Sr., the man nicknamed “The Intimidator” for his daring, aggressive style, was often characterized this way: He would wreck his own mother if it meant winning a race.
   
Earnhardt Sr. would have done the same thing as Busch under similar circumstances. And if he took out his own son in an effort to win, well, so be it.
   
Busch merely did what other great drivers before him did when a race was on the line. He does whatever it takes to win, even if it means using his bumper or taking out another driver.
   
Earnhardt Sr. did it. So did Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, and the list goes on.
   
Jeff Gordon has done it. So has Tony Stewart. So has Kurt Busch, Kyle’s older brother.
   
Sometimes they are criticized and booed for it, sometimes they aren’t. It depends on how many fans they have and what kind of double standard they are willing to apply.
   
There are two things Earnhardt Jr. fans seem most frustrated about:

One, what Kyle Busch did is exactly what Earnhardt Sr. did countless times, and they usually cheered him for it. On a few occasions – 1999 at Bristol – Earnhardt’s actions were so blatant and so deplorable that even his own fans booed him, though they soon got over it and used it as just another testament to his greatness.

And two, Earnhardt Jr. hardly ever makes such a move. He hardly ever races that aggressively and has rarely used his bumper or spun another driver to take the lead or win a race.

That has to be frustrating, and maybe even a little embarrassing, for fans who grew up pulling for the “Man In Black,” the most aggressive, relentless and ruthless driver who ever lived.

How they must wish that Earnhardt Jr. were more like his father.

How they must wish that Earnhardt Jr. would do exactly what Kyle Busch did at Richmond.

If he did, would they turn on him and blast Junior the way they ripped Busch? Would he suddenly be a bad guy and a dirty driver?

Would they sympathize with poor Kyle and claim that it was he who got a raw deal? Would he suddenly become a fan favorite, the way perennial bad guy Darrell Waltrip did when Rusty Wallace wrecked him in the 1989 all-star race?

I doubt it.

Junior typically doesn’t race that way, and there’s nothing wrong with that. He is more like mild-mannered drivers such as Jeff Burton and Mark Martin than aggressive, hard-chargers such as Busch and Carl Edwards.

That’s admirable and has earned Junior a lot of respect, both in the garage and in the grandstands. He’s a genuinely good guy who shows deep respect for his peers, and that has helped him grow the sport’s largest fan base.

Yet, there are probably a lot of Earnhardt fans that would like to see Junior be a bit more like Senior.

Or maybe a bit more like Kyle Busch.

Average Rating: 5.0

Comments

20 responses to "Jeff Owens: Should Junior be more like Kyle Busch?"
  1. 1
    Worm Dirt said:
    May 8, 2008 at 9:24 AM

    Thank you Mr. Owens...

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  2. 2
    denise dunleavy said:
    May 8, 2008 at 10:02 AM

    Kyle Busch does not race like Dale Sr. Sr (most of the time) knew exactly what his car would and would not do and sure he made some bold moves, but Kyle wrecks anything and everything. He's a moron.

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  3. 3
    Anonymous said:
    May 8, 2008 at 10:20 AM

    i agree 100%...one thing junebug didnt inhereit from his 'ol man is a set of walnuts.....

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  4. 4
    Anonymous said:
    May 8, 2008 at 10:37 AM

    Dale Jr fans should know he's not his father we admire both of them for being their own person. I wish people would just let Jr do things in time instead right now. Things are worth more when it comes in time.He's doing just fine and wants a win more than anyone. Kyle Busch is mad at Dale Jr.

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  5. 5
    bob parent said:
    May 8, 2008 at 11:17 AM

    races would be a hell of alot more exciting if there were about 6 more Kyle Buschs.Waiting for Jr to do his thing in his own time WHAT A LOAD

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  6. 6
    Virginia said:
    May 8, 2008 at 11:33 AM

    Dale Earnhardt was a man who drove his way for a number of reasons. Dale Jr is a man who drives his way for a number of reasons, one of which is the way his father drove. The answer to your question is No. I hope he never changes. I have much more respect for Jr than I ever had for his father. He is more of a total man than his father ever was. Don't think he is not an aggressive driver, but he is also smart and respects the other drivers.

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  7. 7
    Anonymous said:
    May 8, 2008 at 11:52 AM

    JR. IS NOT HIS FATHER--- WHY SHOULD HE SUFFER FOR THINGS HIS FATHER DID --- BYSCH IS A DIRTY DRIVER-- NOT JUST WITH JR. BUT WITH ALL THE DRIVERS---JR. HAS HIS OWN STYLE OF DRIVING AND SHOULD NOT BE COMPARED TO HIS FATHER ALL THE TIME -- GIVE THE KID CREDIT -- HE DRIVES CLEAN AND IS A GENTLEMAN -- THATS MORE THAN I CAN SAY FOR BUCH !!!!

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  8. 8
    Anonymous said:
    May 8, 2008 at 11:54 AM

    JR. IS NOT HIS FATHER--- WHY SHOULD HE SUFFER FOR THINGS HIS FATHER DID --- BYSCH IS A DIRTY DRIVER-- NOT JUST WITH JR. BUT WITH ALL THE DRIVERS---JR. HAS HIS OWN STYLE OF DRIVING AND SHOULD NOT BE COMPARED TO HIS FATHER ALL THE TIME -- GIVE THE KID CREDIT -- HE DRIVES CLEAN AND IS A GENTLEMAN -- THATS MORE THAN I CAN SAY FOR BUCH !!!!

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  9. 9
    Francine D'Alonzo said:
    May 8, 2008 at 12:42 PM

    Junior is his own MAN. If he were anything like Busch, I wouldn't be a fan. I won't support anyone that slithered out of the sewer.

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  10. 10
    Anonymous said:
    May 8, 2008 at 1:35 PM

    JR. IS A MAN BUSH IS A CHILD

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  11. 11
    Anonymous said:
    May 8, 2008 at 1:40 PM

    You know why not. Hell, let Jeff Burton drop his standards as well.

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  12. 12
    Anonymous said:
    May 8, 2008 at 2:16 PM

    I'm surprised there aren't more comments here yet. It would be great if Jr was a little more like his dad, maybe then we could have a realy rivalry, instead of the one that Jr nation is trying to invent.

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  13. 13
    Linda Tracy said:
    May 8, 2008 at 3:08 PM

    This question really ticked me off. Absolutely no way should Dale Jr. be a Kyle Busch. He IS Dale Earnhardt Jr. NOT Sr. so it would be nice if people would quit comparing him to his dad. Jr. is his own man. Kyle Busch...that is another story. Quit whining...Jr. does have a set of walnuts. Give it a rest.

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  14. 14
    Anonymous said:
    May 8, 2008 at 4:47 PM

    As a Gordon and a Hendrick fan I was upset when Jr. joined the team. Not anymore, it's caused me to look at him again. He's not his Dad thankfully, but an extemely talented driver on his own that had respect from other drivers that Sr. never had. Dale Sr. used his foot and fear to earn his nitche. Jr. uses his foot and his head and will one day be more famous than his Father. Jeff knows slumps come and go and he will support Jr. through his slump. That's what team mates do, they argue a little like a family but they support each other. Jr. WILL get his win in due time.

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  15. 15
    starr webb said:
    May 9, 2008 at 5:59 AM

    The final laps of a race always comes down to hard racing. Kyle, like every other driver who wants to win, races hard to the top spot. Jr fans, just get over it! Jeff Owens was right about the race being exciting and dramatic. It had me on edge just to see who would cross that finish line. As long as it wasn't a Hendrick car, I didn't care who won.

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  16. 16
    Valeri Leist said:
    May 9, 2008 at 6:06 PM

    If Jr. drove like Kyle Busch or even his Dad, there is NO WAY I would be a fan. I do not like bully drivers. Jr. is a great driver and has alot of class and I think Kyle Busch could learn a thing or two from dale Jr. Busch is a PUNK

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  17. 17
    Chris Pontiff said:
    May 11, 2008 at 11:08 AM

    Seems like most of you people like clean boring racing as long as your driver finishes first. But this sport is about drivers racing hard for wins. giving the fans some excitement. you add fuel to the fire of the nascar naysayers who say its just driving around in circles. I watch the races to see good hard racing and if that includes a wreck here and there so be it. The guys(the drivers) know what they are getting into. Back in the day they knew if Big E got behind them they had to wonder what he would do next to move in front. He didn't get the nickname the Intimidator for racing nice. So how can you fault Kyle Busch for racing hard and aggressive. He's doing what he has to do to win races. And one of the things that is adding so much excitement to the sport. Now whether you love or hate Kyle Busch, you have to admit one thing. He is good for the sport. He adds more excitement than any other driver right now.

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  18. 18
    Anonymous said:
    May 15, 2008 at 8:07 AM

    One thing everyone seems to FORGET....is JR is JR ..........not anyone else, up to and including his father. PERIOD. Jr has always raced "clean", a fact that many out there on the track can attest to. IF, the situation was reversed, you can bet the farm Jr WOULD HAVE NOT WRECKED that other car. His MATURITY on and off the track is always evident A lot of peeps want to compare Busch's driving style to that of Earnhardt Sr. Consider this folks. When Sr started out his career, he was trying to support a growing family and winning was more money; he raced to win. What does Busch have to support to "excuse" his way of racing? Nothing, that I can see but his oversized EGO. I have seen races, many of them, that were nerve racking and exciting..and there was no wreck to stop someone from winning.

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  19. 19
    Jacki Stevens said:
    May 15, 2008 at 8:26 AM

    Please let us remember that JR is JR and no one else. Kyle Busch, if anything, needs to grow up and consider what he is saying before he says anything. Was that simply hard racing at Richmond? No, I believe NOT. The 18 car had more options open to him than turn his car into the 88 car. I do not believe that we must have wrecks in the final laps to make races more exciting. There are several drivers out there that I don't appreciate so much. But I have seen them take the race right to the checkers, racing hard against another driver and come out without a wreck. THAT, folks is something to see. Darn ANYBODY can wreck or cause one. It takes TALENT to avoid one. JR will win, and on HIS terms. I guess I am old fashioned; I believe its how you run your race, not whether or not you win. HAVE AT IT DALE JR!

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  20. 20
    Chris Pontiff said:
    May 16, 2008 at 1:07 PM

    If you still believe Kyle turned his car into Jr's on purpose you have issues. All i have to say

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