On the Loose Side
A NASCAR BLOG BY Kenny Bruce
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Let the pestering begin …
Aug
30
FONTANA, Calif. – Unofficially speaking, it’s a toss-up. That “heated rivalry” between Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch, I mean.
You want to go by total numbers or highest average? Six days removed from the incident – after Edwards bumped Busch out of the lead at Bristol and the two traded a little paint after the fact – the two were being questioned (OK, maybe pestered is more like it) about the contact, their comments afterwards, and the ensuing six-race probation handed down by NASCAR.
Busch fielded 19 questions during his weekly press conference, this one taking place at what used to be part of Kaiser Steel in Fontana but now goes by the name of Auto Club Speedway. Eleven of the questions dealt with the Bristol incident, or the effects afterwards. Edwards danced his way through 25 questions, 13 of which involved the same.
So Busch wins on average, Edwards on the total. Like I said, a toss-up.
Of course, the two principals likely never realized a rivalry existed until the always astute press informed them of the fact. But when all you have to do is look down in the first turn and see a couple of guys beating and banging on each other after the race has ended, it’s difficult not to notice. When that extracurricular action involves the season’s two biggest winners, it’s doubly obvious.
Their personalities might be seen as totally opposite off the track, but from a competitive standpoint they’re as close as any two frontrunners have ever been in the sport. Busch and Edwards have finished 1-2 five times this season, and six times since both began competing in Cup. So chances are, they will continue to see plenty of each other in the coming months. And they will be the favorites when The Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup begins in two weeks, despite the fact that, in a field that will likely feature four former champions, neither one has a Cup title to his credit.
By year’s end, that will likely no longer be the case. If anyone has anything for either of these two, it hasn’t been evident.
So the rivalry will likely continue. The pestering, however, has only just begun.
You want to go by total numbers or highest average? Six days removed from the incident – after Edwards bumped Busch out of the lead at Bristol and the two traded a little paint after the fact – the two were being questioned (OK, maybe pestered is more like it) about the contact, their comments afterwards, and the ensuing six-race probation handed down by NASCAR.
Busch fielded 19 questions during his weekly press conference, this one taking place at what used to be part of Kaiser Steel in Fontana but now goes by the name of Auto Club Speedway. Eleven of the questions dealt with the Bristol incident, or the effects afterwards. Edwards danced his way through 25 questions, 13 of which involved the same.
So Busch wins on average, Edwards on the total. Like I said, a toss-up.
Of course, the two principals likely never realized a rivalry existed until the always astute press informed them of the fact. But when all you have to do is look down in the first turn and see a couple of guys beating and banging on each other after the race has ended, it’s difficult not to notice. When that extracurricular action involves the season’s two biggest winners, it’s doubly obvious.
Their personalities might be seen as totally opposite off the track, but from a competitive standpoint they’re as close as any two frontrunners have ever been in the sport. Busch and Edwards have finished 1-2 five times this season, and six times since both began competing in Cup. So chances are, they will continue to see plenty of each other in the coming months. And they will be the favorites when The Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup begins in two weeks, despite the fact that, in a field that will likely feature four former champions, neither one has a Cup title to his credit.
By year’s end, that will likely no longer be the case. If anyone has anything for either of these two, it hasn’t been evident.
So the rivalry will likely continue. The pestering, however, has only just begun.
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Comments
5 responses to "Let the pestering begin … "
Worm Dirt said:
Aug 30, 2008 at 1:14 PMI’m not sure of the devil’s e-mail address, so I figured I’d just post this here since I know he reads articles about his son........ Dear Satan, How’s it going? Just wanted to thank you for sending Kyle Busch to earth to save Nascar from the robots. He’s doing a great job of it!!! Anyway, hope all is well down in the fiery chasms of hell. Sincerely, Worm Dirt
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSatan said:
Aug 30, 2008 at 1:20 PMYour welcome Worm Dirt. Enjoy the show!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPeter Reiser said:
Aug 30, 2008 at 2:28 PMKyle and Carl are great for the sport. Millions of Jr fans have to be incredibly jealous that he is not part of the rivalry.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportemily bagwell said:
Sep 3, 2008 at 9:17 PMI doubt it, Peter. Why don't you just respond to the dumb article and leave Junior out of it---he must be on your mind which obviously is otherwise blank!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbeth emerson said:
Sep 4, 2008 at 2:58 PMI am a Jr fan not jealous of nascar two biggest jerk. Jr is class all the way. Believe me Jr is not jealous of him. It takes more than what he has done to make Jr jealous. Jr is class at the highest form.Nascar knows he is the draw not Kyle never will be. Lets see if Kyle call make sales of 52%. That is how much Jrs sales are. Plus the fact he is the most liked driver by the fans as well as drivers. Kyle is jealous of Jr cuz he lost his ride to Jr. He has the wins Jr has the last laugh. Ha Ha.
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