Hard Turn

A NASCAR BLOG BY Jeff Owens

Is Busch-Earnhardt comparison fair?

May 13
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.
     

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Comments

7 responses to "Is Busch-Earnhardt comparison fair? "
  1. 1
    Jimmy Graves said:
    May 13, 2008 at 4:49 PM

    I am a die hard Earnhardt fan. I do not have any problem with Kyle Busch being compared to Earnhardt. The only thing that hinders Busch is his off track attitude. He has not developed the swagger that Earnhardt possessed. Earnhardt had the gunslinger attitude and look. Kyle Busch may have the gunslinger swagger but, he has a Howdy Doody look. It is about time that a driver has become a so called "Bad Boy",someone that you either love or hate.

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  2. 2
    Rex Lee said:
    May 15, 2008 at 8:37 AM

    Tony Stewart the greatest race car driver ever. Has won a championship at every major division he's raced in. Dale Sr. was one of the best stock car drivers ever.Plus Tony fights his own fights. the only thing I ever seen Dale Earnhardt do was hide behind "Chocolate" Meyers.

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  3. 3
    LINDA THEOBOLD said:
    May 15, 2008 at 12:39 PM

    Busch will never reach earnhardt's level. Yes, he can drive, but he will never have the respect that Dale did. Busch doesn't respect anyone. I have no use for him. I just hope he doesn't mame or kill someone before nascar reighns him in. Passing 4 wide on the apron is not great driving, it is dangerous and shows no regard for the safety of his fellow drivers. And by the way, he passed Jimmie Johnson below the yellow line at Talladega...wasn't made to give back the position, they just let him do as he pleases.

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  4. 4
    jackie cleland said:
    May 15, 2008 at 12:57 PM

    I am an Earnhardt fan and I don't have a problem. I also resent being called a part of a strange lot. We Earnhardt fans are not strange. The poor misguided people that may call themselves fans of Busch are who I would call strange. I do agree with the person that says Busch does not respect anyone. The main difference between Busch and Earnhardt (besides the driving ability) is that Earnhardt may have been ruthless, but he was respected. Busch will never ever earn anyone's respect.

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  5. 5
    Worm Dirt said:
    May 16, 2008 at 12:04 PM

    On this issue of "RESPECT".... It seems in the garage, where driver's and crew members place value on talent and skills, Kyle gets PLENTY of RESPECT. It's in the stands, where fans value ear-size and a driver's style of grammar or what type of bass boat they have or the shape of his skull where Kyle gets NO respect. Junior ACTUALLY shows up for a pre-season test session, and the world erupts with cries of RESPECT for his dedication, but Kyle drives his b's off in all three series and all we hear is crickets.

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  6. 6
    Chris Pontiff said:
    May 16, 2008 at 1:04 PM

    Linda the pass below the yellow line at Talladega was because he had no where else to go and Nascar officials did not penalize him because they knew the situation. He did not intentionally go below the yellow line to advance his position. That is why they did not make him give it back

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  7. 7
    Marti Heath said:
    May 16, 2008 at 4:58 PM

    I love the fellow Earnhardt fans that remember that Dale wasn't a saint by any means. The people who became fans after his death have tried to make him out to be one. Is Kyle a 7 time champion, no, but if you compare the Dale of 30 years ago to the Kyle of today there are alot of similiarities. It's not an insult to Dale, it is a compliment. Anyone been compared to Derrick Cope lately??? Kyle is beating, banging, slamming and knocking for wins. The old type of driver...not the PC breed we see so much of these days. I thought that the seat of your pants driver was extinct, but the breed is alive and well in Kyle Busch.

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