Waid's World

A NASCAR BLOG BY Steve Waid

Busch’s perceived villainy is OK on the track, but not away from it

May 16
I’ll make a few final comments about Kyle Busch and as far as I’m concerned, whatever role he now occupies in NASCAR has received its due attention – until something else might arise.

You never know with him.

It’s very obvious that Busch is, for now, a villain. He’s the guy the fans love to boo. He’s the guy they want to see suffer an indignity on the track so he can receive some measure of justifiable retribution. He’s the guy with the cocky attitude who needs to be brought down a peg or two.

While he had his detractors earlier, he became the target of complete disdain when he got involved in a mishap with Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Richmond. The incident robbed Earnhardt Jr. of his chance – and a good one – to end a two-year losing streak.

Never mind that both Busch and Earnhardt Jr. agreed that it was simply a racing accident to which neither could be assigned blame. To them, it was, as the old saying goes, “just racin’.”

But it’s become obvious that the loyal, dedicated and even rabid Earnhardt Jr. fans will lash out at anyone, or anything, that affronts their favorite driver.

Which Earnhardt Jr.’s fans should do, by the way – as should those of any driver. It’s their duty.

Busch has taken a cavalier attitude toward it all. If he hears boos and catcalls, he expects them.

He’s told us that all he wants to do is to continue that he’s already accomplished – which is to be competitive and win races.

If he does that and he is a villain, then as far as he’s concerned, so what?

He’s got the right attitude.

However, there is a difference. A driver who is portrayed as a villain by what he does on the track is far different from one who is a complete jerk away from it - in front of the media, NASCAR and, most important, the fans.

In one man’s opinion, that is a true villain.

When it comes to what happens on the track, Busch will always be fair game.

I hope that, when off it, he’s smart enough to know that’s not the time for anything close to villainy.

Average Rating: 4.2

Comments

7 responses to "Busch’s perceived villainy is OK on the track, but not away from it"
  1. 1
    Worm Dirt said:
    May 16, 2008 at 11:47 AM

    Does everyone have one of those couples in their neighborhood...? The ones with the miniature spoiled-rotten dog dressed up in a little red sweater and maybe a little hat or some booties....? And a name like Snookems or Petey...? Anyone? The ones trying so hard to ignore reality and make the dog into something it's NOT or will EVER be! Evidenced by the present they leave in my yard every morning. I don't understand these people. I'm just saying..... I like to watch GOOD SKILLED EXCITING HARD B's TO THE WALL RACING. If you are somebody that chooses their energy drink or beer or car insurance or Water Heater distributer according to a driver, then I guess the red poodle sweater takes on new importance. As for me, I'l stay glued to the racing in all three series where, for now at least, there's somebody out there keeping it REAL.

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  2. 2
    Sally Baker said:
    May 17, 2008 at 8:58 AM

    I find your comments extremely interesting. While no one who loves racing can deny that both Busch brothers have an amazing amount of talent behind the wheel of a race car, it is often overshadowed by the off track attitude that they each display. I realize that fans can only form opinions by what they are allowed to see through the media. I do find it interesting, however, that both the Busch boys were let go from their respective race teams before their contracts were up. That wasn't a decision made by the media, and in spite of the on track success tey each enjoyed. That tells me something. And maybe the fans aren't so wrong after all.

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  3. 3
    gayle larson said:
    May 17, 2008 at 1:59 PM

    i agree they were let go for a good reason. it is hard enough to run a team without having to worry about what is going to come out of the mouth of one of your drivers. it seems like they always say one sentance too many. so many times i have thought they were doing a good interview and then they add an insult or something stupid when they should have just shut up. they always want the last smart word. i guess they think it is cute but it really is annoying and very disrespectful.

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  4. 4
    Worm Dirt said:
    May 19, 2008 at 1:02 AM

    I ALSO find it interesting..Sally Baker....that Kyle Busch was let go from his contract at HMS. I HONESTLY and SINCERELY RESPECT any owner's decision concerning HIS OWN hard-built business.... but MAN!!!!.....what has Casey Mears done lately?.....or ever? I guess Kyle's attitude didn't fit the profile, and so he got the boot....Is it fair? That's not for anyone but Mr. Hendrick to say.... But in my opinion, this is where Joe Gibbs is light-years ahead of the ROBOT HERD.... THEY LET THEIR DRIVERS BE DRIVERS! They understand racing....and they GET IT. They take the POODLE PARADE that is the Allstar Race, and USE IT AS AN EXPERIMENT!!!! SURE, the engines blew up, but I'm guessing they learned something that will pay off more in the end than a million dollars ever would!

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  5. 5
    Meg Racer said:
    May 20, 2008 at 12:46 PM

    Haven't you ever thought to yourself, "I would rather lose with Casey than win with Kyle" ? I have.. Same with everyday dealings too. I would rather pay a higher insurance premium to an agent that I liked than deal with some arrogant agent that charged less. It will be worth it if you have to file a claim. Face it.. There's no competition in NASCAR anymore... This is TOYOTA'S year to win. NASCAR controls the wins every year now.

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  6. 6
    Worm Dirt said:
    May 21, 2008 at 12:26 PM

    Meg...meg..meg...meg.... I wish that I was a car insurance agent!.... so I could refuse to sell you insurance!!! Then, you'd probably call my boss and have me fired.... BUT!!!!after proving you to be unstable by producing evidence in a court of law of your paranoid, illogical, unoriginal rants about Toyota and Nascar fixing races, I would win a nice settlement from my wrongful firing lawsuit. THEN!!! I would take my winnings and create WRD (Wormdirt Racing Development). And!!!!!...I'd go out and find a RACER so brash and talented and arrogant that he (or she) would make Rowdy Busch look like Casey Mears on sedatives... AND i'd put him in a Toyota!!!!!... with "MEG RACER" in neon orange right on the hood!! (since in a way you would be the sponsor right?) Good luck with your high-priced but noble car insurance Meg!!!!!!!

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  7. 7
    Mike said:
    May 30, 2008 at 6:04 AM

    The Busch boys seem to have been brought up in a NBA arena acting like the Dennis Rodman and Rasheed Wallace. Kurt seems to have matured a bit, but Kyle continues to act like a spoiled brat. When was the last time that Kyle didn't have a confrontation after the race was over?

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