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Jeff Gluck: How to hate Kyle Busch
By Jeff Gluck - Associate Editor
Monday, May 12, 2008
COMMENTARY
If a prison team consisting of thieves and drug dealers played a basketball game against Duke, I would have no problem rooting for the convicted felons.
If Tom Brady suddenly forgot how to play football and never won another game, I’d cheer.
I know what it’s like to openly despise pro sports teams and athletes, and spend energy hating their every success and even their very appearance on my television screen.
So in some respects, I feel bad for those Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans who want to scream and tear their hair out every time they see Kyle Busch win another race.
On the other hand, it’s hilarious.
Busch has become NASCAR’s version of the perfect “heel” – to borrow pro wrestling’s term for a bad guy who fans love to hate.
He mocks those who boo him by wiping fake tears from his eyes.
He talks about sending them crying on their way home and asks that they throw full beer cans at him instead of empties so he can knock back a cold one in celebration.
When he sees middle fingers, he suggests that those haters are just telling him he’s number one.
It’s antagonizing, outrageous – and completely funny.
The thing about Busch is this: He really doesn’t care if you hate him. At all.
Go ahead, taunt him. Tell him he sucks. You think he goes home at night and gets upset about it?
Send him nasty letters, throw stuff at him from the stands and give him the finger.
All you’re doing is fueling his fire, which lets him turn around and incense you even more.
When Busch rides around the track on the back of a pickup truck before the race, fans unleash a torrent of angry noise in his direction.
Busch, behind his mirror-like glasses, gives it right back. He’ll wave his arms in the air, telling the fans he wants to hear even more.
So what should you do if you hate Busch?
Keep it up.
Some people might dare suggest the approach of “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em." This is absolutely wrong.
I could never root for Duke or the New England Patriots in a million years. Even if they win multiple championships, I’ll still hate them just as much as ever – probably more.
But when they slip up or fail, I’ll be right there waiting to cheer like crazy.
That’s how you should treat Busch. If you hate him, go ahead. Let him frustrate you and get under your skin.
That’s what makes sports worth caring about, and especially since Busch doesn’t seem to be too affected by the haters, it’s mostly harmless.
Just be prepared for some long days – and years – when Busch wins race after race and maybe even title after title.
In some ways, this is only the beginning. Busch isn’t going anywhere, and there’s no chance he’ll suddenly go ice cold.
And when you vent your frustration at the track, Busch might just soak up your boos with a smile and a bow. It’ll make you red in the face.
Your hatred will take a firm commitment, while others around you eventually fold and decide they kind of like Busch after all.
It’s a funny thing about those heels in wrestling – they might start out being loathed, but they eventually gain enough fans to become loved.
If you smell what Kyle Busch is cooking.
Mentioned Drivers: Kyle Busch
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the AMP Energy 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6248 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -184 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -192 |
| 4 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -239 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -279 |
| 6 | Kurt Busch | -312 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -340 |
| 8 | Ryan Newman | -402 |
| 9 | Kasey Kahne | -414 |
| 10 | Carl Edwards | -437 |
| 11 | Denny Hamlin | -448 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -556 |
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Comments
8 responses to "Jeff Gluck: How to hate Kyle Busch". Post a Comment.
Rita Martin said:
May 12, 2008 at 4:31 PMI DO NOT HATE Kyle Busch, I just can't find anything to like about him. I find his attitude and disrespect for others very hard to accept. To state that he would wreck anyone for the win and to whine and find fault with so much I just do not find him likable.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAngel Ziegle said:
May 12, 2008 at 5:14 PMI agree. There is nothing to like him or his brother. I think since he likes being booed so much everyone should not make a sound and turn thier back on him. Bet he wouldn't be "soaking" that up.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAnonymous said:
May 12, 2008 at 5:51 PMKURT BUSCH WAS THE SAME TYPE UNTIL JIMMY SPENSER STRAIGHTENED HIM OUT--SOMEONE WILL PROBABLY "TALK" TO KYLE-PLEASE USE TH NAME BUSCH WHEN REFERING TO KYLE-NOT JUST KYLE-MEANING KYLE PETTY!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportTim Hughes said:
May 12, 2008 at 7:46 PMMaking JUnior fans upset is like shooting fish in a barrel. Anyone who dares to pass and/or wreck the Golden Child is showered with boos and cheap booze. Take your beer-swilling, knuckle dragging selves back to your caves. GO KYLE and JGR!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBarry Ryan said:
May 12, 2008 at 8:40 PMIm constantly amazed on how Jr Fans loose all common sense because they are passionate about there driver. I guess all future races should be run by only one driver, JR, that way nobody will be in his way, he wont get wrecked, and he will start winning. The other drivers need to be more aggresive and start racing. Quit tippy toeing around JR. Your sponsers, owners and fans diserve more
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» Confirm Abuse Reportstarr webb said:
May 12, 2008 at 9:41 PMJR nation just can't accept the fact that Kyle is a better driver. He's aggressive and takes his chances on the track. So what if you flip the finger, boo, and throw beer cans. He's soaking in all the attention, good or bad. He may not be my favorite driver, but he does add some excitement to a race.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportTim Edick said:
May 13, 2008 at 7:34 AMKyle Busch equals winner. Jr. equals whiner. I like anyone who can make Jr.'s fans cry like the spoiled little baby's they are. If any other driver cried like Jr. they would dump him in a minute. After all isn't that what happened early in Gordon's career? He was the first Golden Boy, and now he's just plain Great. So maybe the redneck fans have a chance.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAnonymous said:
May 13, 2008 at 11:23 PMI Like Kyle Busch. He is a good kid and extremely talented. Also smart. GO Kyle Busch
Report as Abuseand Carl Edwards.
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