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Kyle Busch: I tried to race Edwards clean at Bristol

By SceneDaily Staff

Friday, August 29, 2008

Article Rating: 3.0
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FONTANA, Calif. – To hear Kyle Busch tell it Friday at Auto Club Speedway, his relationship with Carl Edwards is better than ever.
 
“We’re friends, man,” Busch said. “I joke around with guys. Carl, he’s BFF Carl. We’re best friends.
 
“I might text him later, and we’ll go get some In-N-Out burgers. Oh, wait, he doesn’t eat that stuff, probably. Maybe salads.”
 
Busch is joking, it seems, especially considering last week’s incident in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Busch had dominated the race but was bumped out of the way by Edwards in the closing laps. After finishing second to Edwards, Busch twice hit Edwards’ car after the checkered flag before Edwards retaliated by spinning Busch out on the cool-down lap.
 
The two drivers were placed on probation for six weeks, though Busch didn’t seem too bothered by his status.
 
“It means you can’t do anything like what you did last weekend again,” Busch said.
 
Busch said he doesn’t consider himself to be in a rivalry with Edwards, saying he believes drivers can be friends off the track while racing hard on it.
 
After the Bristol race, Edwards said he was simply racing Busch the way Busch would’ve raced him, referring to a Nationwide Series race at Richmond earlier this season when Busch bumped Edwards out of the way.
 
Friday, Busch said he didn’t recall that incident.
 
“I don’t remember anything about that situation,” Busch said. “I do remember me having fresher tires and coming up through there. I believe Denny [Hamlin] was with me. [Kevin] Harvick and Carl stayed out. We got by those guys. I don’t remember touching him, but I guess if I did, repercussions at Bristol is what I get.
 
“The first thing that I think of when I look at Bristol is what happened in the spring of 2007 when I was racing with Jeff Burton. He said he’d rather take a clean second-place finish than move somebody out of the way and get a win. To me, that’s where sportsmanship comes from and that’s where respect comes from. That’s why I have the utmost respect for Jeff Burton in this sport.
 
Busch said he races people the way they race him, pointing out that he didn’t retaliate against Edwards during the Bristol race.
 
“It’s kind of the reason why I didn’t go back and play payback right away,” Busch said. “I could’ve very easily just drove off into Turn 3 and doored him right in the left-rear quarterpanel and spun him out. I didn’t do that. I tried to race him clean, I tried to get back by him. I got bogged down a little bit by Denny, who got alongside me, and we raced for a little bit. I never laid a tire mark on him and got back by him, and it was just too late to try to run down Carl.
 
“I would’ve certainly liked to have tried to have not touched him. I would’ve certainly liked and would’ve rather not hit Dale [Earnhardt] Jr. at Richmond.
 
“People always say that all I’m doing is out there running into people and knock them out of the way, but I’m not doing it on purpose.  I’m telling you.  I’m not out there to try to move anybody. I mean, if I was a superstar at being able to move people out of the way, I would’ve dumped Junior and been able to win the race. I didn’t win the race, so I looked like an idiot.” 

Average Rating: 3.0

Comments

44 responses to "Kyle Busch: I tried to race Edwards clean at Bristol"
  1. 1
    Mike Schaefer said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 2:46 PM

    It doesn't matter what Busch says He is a whiner and a baby.It gets sicking listening to some of the Big Babies in NASCAR. Grow up or get a job!

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  2. 2
    Worm Dirt said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 4:03 PM

    Anybody ever notice when you hear a song for the first time and like it IMMEDIATELY, but then you buy it and listen to it ten times or so, that you end up getting tired of it almost as quickly. On the other hand, those songs that take a while to sink in before they start sounding good to you.....Aren't THOSE usually the songs that end up being your FAVORITES and sticking with you??? It might take a while for some to appreciate it, but Kyle Busch GETS IT! To me, back-flips and phony double-talk get old pretty quick. It's just a shame that people can't get past Kyle's attitude to enjoy this!!!! When I just read "Maybe salads" a sip of my afternoon coffee nearly shot out of my nose! I love it!!!!!

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  3. 3
    Jean Smart said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 4:11 PM

    I think the whiners are the people who keep bad mouthing Kyle. He is just driving his car to win races& he has done a good job of it.

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  4. 4
    Diana Caraballo said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 4:13 PM

    oh my god! you guys are starting to make me sick!!!! alway ragging on kyle like he did something wrong?? well news flash he didn't. The only thing he did was race the guy like they were racing him. Well get the hell over it.

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  5. 5
    john LePage said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 4:14 PM

    KYLE, Just win, I like M&M's. The more there is the better I like it. The only way I like duck is with an orange sauce, crispy skin and a choice of one from column A and column B.

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  6. 6
    kathy nechitilo said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 5:59 PM

    All i got to say is KYLE can drive and he is here to stay. GO KYLE

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  7. 7
    Chrissie Bennett said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 6:17 PM

    Diana Kyle did nothing wrong? Then why is he on probation? Hmmmm I guess NASCAR goes around punishing drivers for no reason at all, at least according to you.

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  8. 8
    Carol Smith said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 6:18 PM

    Kyle Busch has a pathetic attitude, he's rude, arrogant and disrespectful. I only cheer for real men, not little boys. You've got to be kidding me. Kyle doesn't race anyone clean. He needs someone to teach him that respect is earned.

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  9. 9
    Timothy Schultze said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 6:25 PM

    The only reason kyle says he was racing him clean is because he was out front reverse the position and you get the same outcome we've seen it before out of kyle and Carl and lots of drivers to bad all the races are not short tracks more excitement better racing.

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  10. 10
    Grover rickman said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 7:06 PM

    KYLE Will Reap what he sows, just ask his big BOSS.

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  11. 11
    Mike Schaefer said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 7:18 PM

    Nobody said He wasn't a good race car driver, He's just a jerk and a baby.

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  12. 12
    Michelle Trice said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 7:51 PM

    GO KYLE!!! Love the attitude!

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  13. 13
    Worm Dirt said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 8:32 PM

    Carl flosses and rinses after every diet low-calorie meal and chews teeth whitening gum to be ready for the CAMERAS...... Kyle stopped EVEN brushing his teeth because tooth-aches help him stay MEAN for the CHECKERS!!!!! It’s ON!!! Yeeeeeeeeeeeoooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!

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  14. 14
    emily bagwell said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 9:18 PM

    Ditto, Chrissie and Carol

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  15. 15
    Margaret Anne Bowers said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 4:13 AM

    Look no matter what anyone has to say about Kyle all his fans are going to stick behind him. He has to be taught that you can't just go up and hit another car and spin them out just because you are not in the lead or winning a race. There are other drivers out there that are just as good as he is but to him if he isn't leading the race then you better watch the back or either the side of your car because he will knock you out of the way to get what he wants.

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  16. 16
    mayme turner said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 4:37 AM

    A real whiner is Kyle.We use to have some others,but they grew up! think about that!!

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  17. 17
    leon kelly said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 5:18 AM

    we know you didnt mean to hit carl the magnet under your gas pedal jammed ,and you had no control quit whining kyle nuff said

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  18. 18
    francis dolley said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 6:32 AM

    I wood like to see what BIG E wood have done to kyle if he was still here. ask johnny b about kyle taking him out in trucks and kyle do not run full time. real clean

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  19. 19
    kahnefan said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 7:02 AM

    I can't stand Kyle he is a big baby and a sore loser

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  20. 20
    Douglas Mottl said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 7:23 AM

    I'm wondering who or what this guy has on everone, if it was some other Driver he wouldn't have his front teeth and he would have been fined and points taken away from him and the team like Nascar did last year when guys were fined and points taken away just for swearing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This guy"and I use the expression loosely" is nothing but a BIG BABY.

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  21. 21
    gwen thompson said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 7:38 AM

    I have always wondered, being that Kyle graduate earlier and with Honors, At Bristol this guy raced, whereas many others had problems. I do not know how this kid excelled in MATH, but I think this kid is pretty awesome. We have to give it to the kid. The KID can drive but seems the kid can give it, but the KID can't take it. lol. GO DALE JR. We will get THERE.

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  22. 22
    hazeee proc said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 7:44 AM

    nascar needs to put jimmy spencer back in a car.kurt has straighted up after that poke in the nose maybe he could do the same for his brother

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  23. 23
    Michael Wittmeier said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 8:31 AM

    Watch the replay ... Kyle came right back and bumped Carl, (just like Carl hit him, there was no "left-rear quarterpanel" like he insinuates). It was good, short track racing from both these guys. But this "I'm a clean racer" blather is preposterous. The only reason Kyle won at Chicago is because he rammed Jimmie's rear end on the restart. Either he hits people on purpose or he's not as talented as the media purports. Its gotta be one or the other, it can't be both.

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  24. 24
    Beki S said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 8:48 AM

    Am I the only one who remembers Kyle spinning out Jr for the win at the beginning of the season? I can think of a few other instances in trucks, N'wide and Sprint where he spins out the driver in front, slams into them on the restart or just barrels through because he's not calculated or patient (read: experienced) enough to do it right. He's mad because he lost. Get over it. He's mad because he's sharing the spotlight for a week. He's mad because an M&M got stuck in his tooth. He's just mad. Carl is a great driver - I've said so since before his rooky season. This is the best NASCAR has been all year. I love it!

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  25. 25
    Paula LaRue said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 9:08 AM

    Leave Kyle alone, he's just racing, Earnhart did it, Rusty did it, every body does it. Give it a rest. Kyle is just a racer, like the 42 other racers out there. Deal with it!!!!!

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  26. 26
    sally whan said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 10:52 AM

    KYLE IS BABY AND CRYA ALL THE TIME,HE CANT RACE ONE WEEK WITHOUT WRECKING SOMEONE IN ALL THE CLASSES...EVERYTIME HE IS ON THE TRACK HE WRECKS SOMEONE..THAT IS ALL HE KNOWS AND I THINK IT IS GREAT THAT CARL FINALLY GAVE HIM BACK WHAT HE DERSERVE...GOOD GOING CARL AND WISH THE REST WOULD GIVE HIM BACK WHAT HE GETS..LOOK AT THE TRUCK RACE ALL THE PEOPLE HE HAS MAD AT HIM,ALSO LOOK AT THE OLE BUSCH RACES HE HAS THEM MAD...SO, STOP SAYING IT IS RACING IT IS KYLY NOT WANTING TO LOSE AND DOES IT ANYWAY HE CAN...GO GO GET HIM....

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  27. 27
    Kevin Davis said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 10:57 AM

    Ever notice that the ones who are calling KB a whinner are whinning themselves? None of you fully understand the pressure on a driver. TALENT + DEDICATION = SUCCESS. I admire your success KB!

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  28. 28
    Jo Ray said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 10:59 AM

    Kyle has a short memory for his hits. He did hit Carl right after Carl hit him but he was unsuccessful at getting back around him, and what's all this mocking of their personal habits, it's non of our business.

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  29. 29
    Kevin Davis said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 11:03 AM

    And Sally, you need to watch every race in order to make an acurrate statement which you obviously did not make. And as for the Craftsmen drivers, you bet they don't like it because they are either old timers who don't want to go out to pastuer yet or young guys trying to make a name for themselves. Of course they don't like KB. It means they don't have a shot at winning the race if he's in it. I bet if they were smart they would try and learn something from KB, I bet he'd be more than happy to give a little back and help them along in their careers.

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  30. 30
    Kevin Davis said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 11:13 AM

    And keep in mind, sometimes its hard not to hit somone when you're so much faster. I think a lot of people don't really understand the true meaning of "racing clean".

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  31. 31
    S Beau said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 12:33 PM

    Kyle Busch talking about respect and sportsmanship? I just love that sarcastic wit of his.

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  32. 32
    Craig Spangler said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 1:13 PM

    Go back a few years like I did. Cale Yarbouro and Bobby Allison did not go on probation, get fined or points taken for their fight after the race. Now Did They? Nascar has changed all the rules to punish drivers to make more Money! Craig

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  33. 33
    Scott Baker said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 1:20 PM

    I must admit, I was shocked when Kyle had the chance to "move" Carl and didn't take it. I would have. He stayed low thinking he could drive by him. Carl raced Kyle at Bristol the way other drivers EXPECT and ACCEPT to be raced at Bristol; if you're in the lead late in the race and I can get to your bumper, I'm going to move you. He didn't wreck him, only moved him. This has been going on at short tracks and will continue, it's racing. Their penalty came after the checker when Kyle hit Carl twice and Carl hit Kyle.

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  34. 34
    Lisa Shaver-Steingart said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 1:27 PM

    What I want to know is since when is bump and run racing not acceptable? Bump and run racing is racing, ask Terry Labonte. Do I believe they are friends outside of the track? I don't know and I don't really care. It makes for good watching though . . . can't wait to see what happens at Dover in a few weeks!!!!!

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  35. 35
    Diamond_56 said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 1:39 PM

    I have an idea. Let's quit saying anything bad about Kyle, he loves all the attention, good or bad. Maybe if we ignore him, he'll just fade away!!!!You know with racing, you have your good times, then come the BAD. Kyle's bad time is due just about the time the CHASE starts. Hero to Zero.....

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  36. 36
    Adam Argabright said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 2:02 PM

    There's a word to describe what Kyle Busch is saying, but I can't post it on here. I'm so sick of hearing or reading about Kyle Busch and his "why is everybody always picking on poor little ol' me" crap. What goes around comes around, and he deserves at least ten times worse than that little tap Edwards gave him at Bristol. Hopefully one of these days, someone will give him exactly what he deserves, and maybe the little punk will realize that.

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