If you know me, then you know I’m never one to duck controversy. I tell you what I honestly think, even if it means you may “blow me up” for it. Today is another day I take occasion to say something some of you may not like, because I’m calling out your favorite guy. On the other hand, I stand behind what I’m about to write because it’s how I honestly feel, and I wouldn’t hesitate to say to say it to the man’s face.- Jim
At some point in your career, you have a day like this. I’ve done everything from manage a newspaper advertising sales team to janitorial work, and I’ve had that kind of day in both situations.
You work hard and you work smart. You’ve got the talent and the skill to make good things happen. Whether it’s a brilliant plan to increase sales, or it’s a thoughtful strategy to get the most done in the least amount of time, you know success will follow because you’ve planned your work, and worked your plan. Then suddenly, something or someone jacks you up with a blindside hit on you that lays your best laid plans to waste. To make matters worse, it wasn’t you fault. Sometimes- it’s just plain, dumb bad luck.
The last thing you really want to do is talk about it. You don’t want to talk about it with your peers, you sure as heck wouldn’t want the public to know, and you sure don’t want to talk to your spouse about it. You just want to make it go away, and you’re really hoping that someone doesn’t say something to set you off on the way home.
Oh, you would find people who would defend if you stood in silence, especially if that person seeking your assessment held a notepad or a microphone. In some circles, reporters provide trial attorneys and used car salesmen stiff competition for the “Scum of The Earth” title. Just like every other job, a few bad apples spoil the barrel and give those that strive to do what they’re paid to do to the best of their ability a bad name.
Before I go on, let’s get one thing straight: I am not a Kyle Busch basher. In fact, it wasn’t more than a month ago, I wrote a post praising him speaking well of his team to the press after his victory at Richmond, and took occasion to point to his charity work and to his scholastic achievements as evidence that he may not be all his haters think he is. The truth is that he’s as funny as heck with his victory celebrations and I don’t fault him for his honesty even if his opinions are off-base.
What I think Busch forgets is the men and women who follow him with cameras and microphones aren’t the enemy. Real enemies generally don’t fire on you in front of a TV camera. Fundamentally- they have no more desire to engage in battle with Kyle than he does them. He’s far from stupid, he knows good and well why they are there and the fact is he can use the media for his benefit if he wants. He’s got their attention- put the occasion to good use. Some drivers would give anything for that kind of attention.
Take Saturday’s Nationwide race for example. We don’t know Kyle Busch’s side of the story. The video appears to suggest he had a tire problem that was a catalyst for the incident with Joey Logano. We had a young driver tripping all over himself to suggest the mishap may have been his fault and not Kyle’s. We know a lot of things except for what the victim’s version of the story is. If it was the tires, say so. If it was Logano’s fault, tell us that. As it stands now, all we can do is speculate and there are more than a few who will assume the worst.
Fellow fan, take it from somebody who spends his days on the job interviewing law makers, law enforcement, rescue personnel and variety of other professionals who face a pressure Busch has no comprehension of- precious few of us, if any have any kind of agenda to make him look bad. Regardless of what any of that Hollywood crap has suggested to you- most of us are just regular folks trying to do a job. In this instance, providing Kyle Busch an opportunity to tell his side of the story.
At the end of the day, all we’re really talking about is a freakin’ car race. Nobody died. The welfare of Western Civilization does not hang in the balance. With his accomplishments that nobody can take away from him, he’s already given his sponsors their money’s worth and much more.
As far as that goes, nobody will remember any of this in 20 years. All most people will have as a record of this is the history books a lot of people never read and a general remembrance of how Mr. Busch conducted himself at this stage of his life, as recorded by the media. How he wants it written about him is up to him.
I remember a baseball player named Steve Carlton in the 70s. For years, he NEVER spoke to the media. By the time he lifted his moratorium, he was washed up and nobody had any interest in listening to him. What few times he did talk, he babbled incoherently about about of loony conspiracy theories. It’s too bad. I would have been interested to know some of his thoughts while he and the Phillies were winning the 1980 World Series.
Either Kyle Busch can be remembered as a fiery competitor who worked to rein in his passions (like a Tony Stewart) to channel it in into something constructive, or he can go down in history as a highly talented, but highly despised jerk (like baseball’s Barry Bonds).
If I could talk to him with the microphone in my hand, I’d say this: “Mr. Busch, sometimes what we see with our eyes doesn’t tell the whole story. From where you sat, what happened?”
Then I’d shut up and listen. Then I’d ask a follow up question, and then I’d thank for his time and let him go.
Not real complicated is it?
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Jim, Remind me not to comment here anymore. You have made it your mission to disagree with everything I have posted. Why don’t you keep your nose out of it & keep your opinions of my posts to yourself? I wasn’t addressing you (the author of this blog) and I resent you dressing me down about anything I post here. That sir, is not your mission. You asked for opinions, but you didn’t tell us that you would diss our opinions if you disagreed. Not very professional of you at all !!
My two cents for what its worth…anyone here got “twenty something” kids? ESPECIALLY boys? I’ve got two of ‘em. and lots of gray hair. They can be rude (even though I tell them I raised them better than that) and they can be obnoxious (see above note) and as far as they are concerned, they are ALWAYS right. (well…you know) Which is why, even though I CRINGE inside when my little buddy acts like an a$$…I keep my stickers on my car, my poster on my wall at work, and I wear my tshirts loud and proud. I was (am) a SR. fan, and the similarities are all there. He will be great on and off the track someday when his maturity catches up with him.
It’s Ok Jim, you don’t have to excersize your authority, even if it is kinda veiled.( you let me get by with what?) No worries, I won’t comment anymore, YOU WIN !!!!
Is the site slow or is it my PC because I don’t see the response you wrote to me that I just responded to. Maybe you sent it privately? Hmmm
To Meri I will always be a Kyle Fan and I will also wear His gear Proudly. The “guff” I get is not what I was referring to, it is the cursing and throwing things at the track, drivers, and other fans. How long will this go on before actual fights break out. I can take care of myself, BUT when my grandchildren are with me, well lets just say I’ll turn into an angry mother bear protecting her cubs.
TO: Meri I know ALL about wearing opposed sweatshirts, tees, hats etc to games . I am not only a PROUD KYLE BUSCH FAN, I live just outside of Atlanta GA and now that I think about this I should be used to this kind of fan treatment allthought not to the degree I have had IT with Nascar, I am a SUPER PROUD FAN OF THE GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS.
GO KYLE GO JACKETS
jim-sorry out for a while – if you say that it is recorded – Tony Stewart must have a hundred more marks then Kyle Busch does. What exactly has Kyle Busch said that wasn’t the truth? Oponion is opinion. Just because he doesn’t say it in a politically correct manner does not make it wrong. Tony Stewart shoved a reporter to the ground, but how soon we forget – it was forgiven even though he still calls out driveers before he has his facts down, and kudos to him that he makes up with them later, but it was said in public. And if the complaint is that Kyle Busch walks away from the press when he is angry – take your choice- say something you will regret later or don’t say anything at all. That is pretty wise for a young man.
Jr. Nation should be the ones remprimanded – I have never read such hateful, biased, viscious statements from a group of people. I was a great Earnhardt fan from the early 80s, jumped on board with Jr., but disappointed in the fan base and the excuses. Still love Jr. Hate his fans, love Kyle Busch’s attitude, I hope he never changes.
@ellie. I can’t speak for everyone, but as for me, I would happily accept a response along the order of “Right now, I’d say something I’d regret later. I’ll talk later. But now, now thanks.” I would accept. He’s at least acknowledged me, and I would give him the room. Now- if a reporter keeps pushing it, then at that point it’s “Look I said not now.” To just act like I’m not even there, to me, that’s disrespectful on a personal level and it doesn’t do a lot to foster a good working relationship.
You can imagine that as a Gordon fan, it took me a long time to forget the little dust up those two had for several years. I don’t know that I would say I’ve given him a pass, BUT it’s more of a case where recently he hasn’t stepped out of line without having had made amends for it later. Trust me, if he’s out of line in my oponion, I’ll say it. Had there not been some resolution with him and Reutimann after the “600″, I would have said something about Stewart’s comments. Unlike the TV guys, I won’t defende Stewart’s point- but by the time the next day rolls around it’s over and down, and at least Reutimann’s case, he got the last laugh.
It’s unfortunate when fans of any driver or team think that by sheers numbers alone they can bully people around. It’s not right. While I think Kyle has said bad things and he’s behaved badly at times, I am not going to transfer that on to his fans.
@ Meri: You are totally correct! One thing that is amazing is everyone seems to want to excuse Kyle… Remember how bad people would boo Jeff Gordon, throw the beer cans, etc?
Did he ever act like a brat? No Way! He wasn’t quite as young as Kyle, was he? Anyways I am looking forward to the day of Kyle’s maturity!
This thing with Kyle/Junior? What is it? In reality Junior did nothing to Kyle at all. right? Rick Hendrick could have released Mears. Right? Well don’t you think Kyle is directing his anger to the wrong person? Really! What has Junior ever done/said to Kyle? Nothing that I have read/heard. I feel like Kyle should realize enough is enough. Stop being a baby. Kyle has done better than Junior since he was let go from Hendrick… So what a lot of other drivers haven’t either. For some idiot reason if you do not like Kyle your automatically considered a Junior Fan. That is just not true at all. I know tons of people who likes both, likes neither of them, etc
Fact’s are Facts, Smoke can/has acted like a Jackass, Kevin Harvick, even Jeff Gordon has had issues, the list could go on/on. Kyle? lol He just needs to grow up remember the media is what has got him where he is. Without the media he is nothing.
Jim – what exactly has he said? Conversations between crews and drivers are always heated and they seem to get along fine after the fact. Am sure that many drivers have similar conversations. But what comments are truly out of line, especially in his interviews. What exactly is behaving badly? I am sure pouting, but what about throwing helmets, throwing fists, threatening teammates during an interview (Carl Edwards) ? I think other drivers on the circuit have done worse. Walking away from the media?? There are about 40 other drivers who would love to have an interview w/the media – good or bad, so if they can’t speak to him, the media should go and find another driver who desperately needs the air and face time. I would love to get to know Almendinger, Ambrose, Keselowski – think of it this way- K. Busch is giving an opportunity to a not so popular driver – the media shouldn’t pass it up and we as fans can get to know the whole field.
Jim-One last point- I don’t think the media has got him where he is. I think his talent got him where he is. It seems to me that his love of racing and winning far exceeds his desire to sell MMs. He wouldn’t be driving everything under the sun on his time off, he would be making commercials….
@Ellie. I’ll name three:
1) His remarks about Junior last week. Even if Jr,. acknowledges Kyle being right. It isn’t Kyle’s business what’s going. I don’t why the question was asked. I would have said: “I don’t drive for Hendrick Motorsports, so it’s not my concern.You’d have to ask the guys over there.”
2) His remarks about Jr. after Busch’s win at Bristol. Absolutely no reason for Kyle to bring that up there.How would you feel if after a Jimmie Johnson took a dig at him after a win?
3) After wrecking at Texas while driving the “5″ car, Busch goes storming off and leaves. Having already wrecked out in his car, Dale Jr. volunteers to finish the race in the “5.” You don’t quit on your team.
4) Bonus: His crew may take his crap, but that doesn’t make the way he talks to them right.
The other guys have done bad things, don’t get me wrong. But in my opinion, what set Kyle apart is it seems you NEVER hear him own up to a wrongdoing.
Just my opinion.
On one level, you’re right. Busch has gotten where he is with his talent, his wins and his passion. On the other hand, what makes the incident that started this conversation news is the fact that Busch was in contention for a win. His teammate got into him on a re-start and it cost him the win. What we don’t know is Kyle’s side of the story. Were the tires shot on his car, triggering the issue? Did Logano screw up? We don’t know Kyle’s side of it. We don’t need a speech, just a couple of quick answers. Even if this were something that just happened once in a while, that would be one thing…but that’s like third time that has happened.
Yes, but wasn’t it the press who asked Kyle what he thought of Jr’s situation. He did not bring up the subject, the media did – he answered- ironically just read Ed Hinton’s article on ESPN regarding this- have a look.
And if Kyle was not sure what happened on the restart, why should he answer you until he gets the answers? As for the number 5 incident – how was he treated at Hendrick – do you know the facts – he’s done with the car, done with the team -not his choice- maybe a bad decision, but understandable – my point exactly – how come we forgive Stewart for worse and still harping on an incident 2 years ago. He can say anything he wants about Jr. Everyone seems to harp on him because of one incident-again-let’s remember Daytona this year – nobody thinks back to Jr’s actions.
And Jimmie Johnson did get a dig on him before the beginning of the chase last year. I think you are way to harsh because the media does not like to be ignored. Let’s pick apart the other drivers tantrums at the same time. It’s just that Busch is entertaining that you want his attention.
GO JAN!!! I am a Georgia Tech graduate and a proud Kyle Busch fan. Whats the good word? THWG.
@Ellie. I give you credit. You fight hard for your guy. I mean that as a compliment. If I may, I will address your points:
1) I did say the press brought it up and it was a bad question. I already said what I would have done with it, and through it, I would have hopefully accomplished a “Hey, I’m through with these dang Jr. questions” point.
2) The thing is, I don’t know what Kyle thought about it. If I’m in the reporter’s position, I am there to get answers, but until he gives an answer, all I know is what I saw. It doesn’t matter if was Busch or Mark Martin. When you have a car as good as Kyle’s was and your race ends that way, you’re going to be asked. It happens several times every race- even with drivers not doing as well as he was.
3) I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to ask- but if Stewart’s actions from several years ago are fair game for this discussion, then it’s the same deal for Busch.
For the record- I about went through the roof and said as much when dale Jr. wrecked with Vickers at Daytona.
Just remember- all this simply started as a post on Kyle’s developing track record for not speaking to the media after a bad finish. Obvisouly, the conversation has strayed far from that.
Anyway- I have no illusions I’ll change your mind, not will you mind. I definitely give fans like you, Smokie, and Ed B. credit for standing against the tide. With you knowing now who I’ve rooted for over the years, it’s not easy sometimes because it can get personal.
I knew it, I just knew it, MATT I think I love you, but I’m married. A GEORGIA TECH MAN and A KYLE BUSCH FAN You are indeed the very cream of the crop. I knew it took superb intelligence to be both. Yes the good word is THWG
GO JACKETS GO KYLE GO MATT
article on espn ( Ed Hinton is a senior writer for ESPN.com. He can be reached at edward.t.hinton@espn3.com.)
One thing about Kyle Busch: You always know where he stands. He’s the most honest man in NASCAR.
After races, he either takes a bow or takes a hike. He either wins big and flaunts it, or loses big and stomps away silently.
He ran three races and took three hikes at Dover this past weekend.
You don’t see much of him around those second- and third-place news conferences NASCAR makes drivers do in the media centers after races. He doesn’t do runner-up very well.
This Cup season he has finished in the top three four times, and three of those were wins.
The rest of the time, his finishes have been in the double digits, except for a sixth-place in the Coca-Cola 600, a race he would have won — that, or finished in the double digits again — if not for rain.
He had no choice but to sit on pit road in the drizzle under a red flag and let NASCAR call the 600 after 227 laps of the scheduled 400, with David Reutimann sitting at the front. Of those 227 laps completed, Busch had led 173.
Busch
If they had gone green again, Busch would have four wins this year — that, or he would have played hell with the finish, just as he did in the All-Star Race.
Whenever he takes a hike, refusing to speak to the media or even his own public-relations people, it’s always obvious why.
In Saturday’s Nationwide race, he led at the final restart and got bumped from behind by teammate Joey Logano so that both slid up the track and Brad Keselowski won.
In the Truck race that same evening, a blown tire with 14 laps to go cost Busch a win. In the Cup race, he fought a terrible car up into the top five, only to feel a vibration. (With his experience that weekend, there was reason to suspect it was a bad tire.) It was a rare broken splitter.
Three times, he took a hike. Three times, why not? What could he contribute to the chronicling of the race except some more outrage that his detracting legions would call whining?
Busch will be bashed regardless. The NASCAR public has chosen him as the driver it loves to hate. Give the NASCAR public this: It always picks a really good one to hate, e.g., Jeff Gordon for years, and Dale Earnhardt before that, and Darrell Waltrip before that.
Busch didn’t exactly come into Dover with his guns blazing at Dale Earnhardt Jr. He was doing what he was told — participating in the Friday media conference NASCAR requires of its top 12 drivers in the points standings.
He wasn’t taking shots. He was giving honest answers.
In fact, he opened with candor about being robbed by rain at Charlotte: “Hopefully, we don’t have a rain-shortened race.” He was still stinging from that and made no secret of it.
I guess I started the Earnhardt stuff. My intention was to get a lot of drivers’ reactions to the hottest news story of the day by far, Earnhardt’s being separated from his cousin and longtime crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., with Lance McGrew as the replacement.
Busch just happened to be the first driver I asked.
“You gotta make the most popular driver in the sport competitive,” he said. “So you do what you gotta do, I guess.”
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Now what about that wasn’t true? From team owner Rick Hendrick to NASCAR chairman Brian France to senior statesman Jeff Gordon, they’ve all been saying the same thing — exactly the same thing Busch said.
Now, here are some quotes that will bore you because they aren’t sexy, but they should be published here to further illustrate his honesty.
Somebody else asked Busch what McGrew might bring to Earnhardt that Eury didn’t.
“I don’t know,” Busch said. “I’ve never worked with Eury, so I don’t know.”
See? Candor. If he doesn’t know, he’ll tell you he doesn’t know.
He continued regarding McGrew, “I only worked with him in Nationwide in 2004 [while Busch was at Hendrick]. So the better question to ask might be to Brad Keselowski. He worked with him recently. … I couldn’t tell you. I don’t know.”
Not much news there. So reporters kept pushing for comments on McGrew. What was McGrew like? “Always trying to stay ahead of the curve,” Busch said, but added, “just like any other crew chief does.”
Still no news. Most of the time, honesty is boring.
But in his tendency to tell not just the truth but the whole truth, Busch added something he does know about McGrew at this time: “He’s got his hands full having to deal with what’s going on, and if Junior doesn’t run well, he’s [McGrew] going to be the problem again.”
And then: “It’s never Junior; it’s always the crew chief.”
Busch spoke the truth as he saw it, and we all wrote it and/or aired sound bites of it, because the media knew that would be much more interesting to you, the public, than a lot of “I couldn’t tell you” or “I don’t know” from NASCAR’s best and most controversial young driver about NASCAR’s most popular driver.
It was very much the same as when he had said at Martinsville, Va., back in March, “I’m proud of the fact that I’m outperforming a guy [Earnhardt] that replaced me at Hendrick.”
He had been asked, and he answered. But only the interesting part went out to the world. Chopped off the end was his conclusion, “But that’s not what this sport is all about. This sport is to be the most consistent and keep learning and to keep getting better and ultimately to try to win championships.”
Even before that, after his win at Bristol on March 22, only the sound bite came out: “There’s probably too much pressure on one guy’s shoulders who doesn’t seem to win very often.”
Now what in the world is untrue about that? From anybody but Kyle Busch, that would have been taken as a statement of sympathy.
And it is a fact that, since Earnhardt squeezed Busch out of the Hendrick stable for the start of last season, Kyle Busch has won 11 Cup races and Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won one.
Busch is asked, and Busch is honest. That’s all.
I would rather have one of him as a NASCAR driver than 10 of those who mealymouthed this past weekend about how sometimes you’ve just got to make changes on a team.
You the public decry the political correctness and the platitudes coming from the mouths of NASCAR drivers. You e-mail me all the time about that.
And then Busch tells you the truth, and you can’t deny it, so you e-mail me making fun of Busch’s appearance — and mine, for being the messenger for what he said.
You can call him all sorts of names so terrible that you the plaintiffs sound as though you’re in middle school.
But there are two names you never call him, because you know you can’t: a phony, or a liar.
Ed Hinton is a senior writer for ESPN.com. He can be reached at edward.t.hinton@espn3.com.
jim-been a pleasure, I do see your points and know that we will never agree, but a great debate. Just enjoying the Nascar season. You may not believe me when I say I am truly a Jr. fan have watched him for many years and love the excitement that Kyle brings to the sport. Been a long time that we have had drivers that bring out emotion (good or bad) in this sport. No longer just cookie cutter and maybe that is why we need him, Jr, and Stewart and all these passionate rivalries – makes for great discussions.
Catch you next time….E
@Smokie. The article is a good read. Definitely a different point of view. Hinton is a respected writer and I think those of us with differing points of view would do well not engage in what Hinton has experienced. I go on record now as CONDEMNING tat kind of behavior.
Thanks for bringing in over.
@Ellie. On this we agree
@Ellie, Jan, Matt, Smokie. You may be surprised to know I’ve gone my rounds with Jr. Nation concerning their reaction to Richmond last year. I take Busch at his word that the collision with Jr. was a “racing incident” and again, I condemn the beer can throwing. If it were up to me such so-called “fans” would be banned from the track for life.
Truthfully- the more I follow the sport, the more I appreciate each driver who climbs into a car. If you know that my favorites are more in the vein of a Mark Martin, then you know the drivers more like Stewart, Harvick and Busch are not among my favorites. By the same token, I respect what they do. It’s just a matter of personality and there’s plenty of room for both.
Ellie, as a member of Jr. Nation I would ask respectfully that you revise your comments about Jr. Nation. Not everyone in Jr. Nation is hateful and spiteful and makes excuses about and for Dale Jr. I certainly don’t feel as if I do.
My take on his last couple seasons is that he’s not as good as he could be but he’s not nearly as bad as people are saying. Next time there is a race listen to the commentators and how they talk about Dale Jr. It’s more-so with Fox I think because several of their commentators have a personal relationship with Dale. But listen to how they talk about him. Its like they expect him to be his father, as many of Sr’s fans seem to want as well.
Like all people who are in a business where their fathers and grandfathers and such do well, there is a expectation of success for the younger generation. If Dale Jr’s last name was Jones or Smith and he came from the ranks and worked his way up a lot of this type of discussion would never happen. But he’s not and obviously there will be comparisons.
Do SOME of Jr. fans act stupid? Yes. Are they passionate? Yes. Do they give their favorite driver a break? Of course. But I really don’t think its more-so than any other driver’s fans. It’s obvious by this thread that some of Kyle’s fans don’t perceive his actions the way non-Kyle fans do, isn’t it? Like I said before I really tried to give Kyle the benefit of the doubt. But his behavior from my perception has made that nearly impossible. He’d have to really mature before I could take notice.
And I’ll admit that maybe when I hear Kyle talk my first inclination is to hear him in a different tone than he intends. But I also honestly feel that the inference from him is usually sarcastic and nasty, even when its veiled by something else. When he was asked about the Dale and Eury situation he immediately went to the negative. He basically said that it won’t matter what happens because Dale Jr. is treated as if he can do no wrong and he’s never held accountable for his finishes or his performance. (Jealous much?) That is total crap. Dale holds HIMSELF responsible even if he’s just doing what he can do. And, many others in the NASCAR community hold him personally responsible in a very vocal and strong way for his standing and performance. They don’t talk about the other drivers that way. They might say “wow, we really expected Carl Edwards to do better this year.” but they don’t say “wow, Carl is really screwing up and he needs to do something about it he’s so disappointing because he dosen’t race like his father.” Know what I mean?
It’s obvious that Kyle is ticked that he was replaced by Dale and that he won’t let it go. Okay, he’s got perfectly valid reasons, but when you’re a contract employee that’s the deal. I’ve done freelance work and I don’t get pissed because I’m told I’m no longer needed or that they are replacing me with someone else. I move on.
Anyway, my point is this, some members of Jr. Nation are jerks and idiots, but not all of us are.
:)
Meri
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