NASCAR

Feed

Hamlin Wins, Menard Tops & Martin Signs During...

Comments (0) Read More

9 To Go: The Chase Bubblers

Comments (4) Read More

Can Mark Martin Win a Title at Hendrick?

Comments (31) Read More

> View All

At the Track Radio

Hear the latest news, rumors and interviews with some of the biggest stars in the world of motorsports.
At the Track Radio

Check Out Official Site

Check out the new online trivia game and take on players across the nation.
Free to Play

Find out everything you need to know to defeat your friends and family in sports video games.
Check It Out Now

Kyle Busch Hits 'Perfect Storm' as Villain

By MONTE DUTTON,

AOL

Posted: 2008-05-13 12:15:51

Filed Under: NASCAR

Sports Commentary

Does NASCAR need villains? Why, of course. Isn't there something missing in the NFL now that the Oakland Raiders have disappeared from the playoff radar?

Kyle Busch

CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Budweiser Dodge, leads Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2008 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images

CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, leads Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, and Sterling Martin, driver of the #40 Wii Fit Dodge, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2008 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images

CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, and Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Budweiser Dodge, lead the fields to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2008 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images

CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, leads Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, Kurt Busch, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet,. during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2008 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images

CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, leads the field during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2008 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Getty Images

CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, leads Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2008 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Getty Images

CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2008 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images

CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Kyle Busch (C), driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, shakes hands with Yao Ming (R), of the Houston Rockets, and Olympic Gold Medalist Steven Lopez (L) on the track prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2008 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Justin Heiman/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images

The late Dale Earnhardt never lost sleep when the fans booed him. Jeff Gordon somehow became a villain in the 1990s for nothing more evil than winning over and over. Still, that was enough to supplant Earnhardt as the fans' chief target. Earnhardt told Gordon, essentially, that noise was good. Whether by cheers or boos, Earnhardt had learned that if the grandstands erupted when your name was called, it was going to be worth a lot of money.

Now, along comes Kyle Busch, a former teammate, to wrest control of Boo Bottom from Gordon.

"I think if he had his choice, he wouldn't be the villain," Gordon said of Busch. "I don't think he wants to be that. I know Kyle's a good guy, you know, and he's an incredibly talented race-car driver. There's no doubt about that.

"He just gets himself into situations, you know, where it just follows him. He needs to accept it, go with it, but, you know, be himself, and I think there's an opportunity here for him. Not that he wants to go crashing Dale Jr. very often. I don't think that's going to do him too many favors, but having a love-hate relationship out there with the fans is not a bad thing."

As a villain, Kyle Busch is a perfect storm. His villainy runs perfectly parallel to Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s popularity.

Like Earnhardt Jr., Busch is a legacy. Among several whose thunder he has stolen is his older brother, 2004 Cup champion Kurt, who has obligingly stopped running particularly well just at the point where Kyle has become NASCAR's biggest winner.

Busch doesn't limit his domination to the Sprint Cup Series. While leading the Cup points, he's near the top in both support series, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck. There are more opportunities to boo him than anyone else.

Latest NASCAR Photos

Casey Mears gets a hug from his girlfriend Trish Grablander before the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Best Buy 400 auto race, Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Pat Crowe II)

Casey Mears waves to the crowd after being introduced before the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Best Buy 400 auto race, Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Pat Crowe II)

** FILE ** In this April 6, 2008 file photo, NASCAR driver Kyle Busch smiles before the NASCAR Sprint Cup series Samsung 500 auto race in Fort Worth, Texas. The journey hits historic levels this weekend, when Busch becomes the first driver in NASCAR history to attempt all three national series on one weekend at three different tracks. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Casey Mears waits for the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Best Buy 400 auto race, Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Casey Mears drives out of turn four during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Best Buy 400 auto race, Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Casey Mears, right, talks with Reed Sorenson before the start of the NASCAR Best Buy 400 auto race, Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Pat Crowe II)

Tony Stewart climbs into his car before practicing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Best Buy 400 auto race, Friday, May 30, 2008, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Russ Hamilton)

Tony Stewart waves to the crowd during driver introductions before the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Best Buy 400 auto race, Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Pat Crowe II)

Formula One driver David Coulthard, of Scotland, talks with reporters before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Best Buy 400 auto race, Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. Formula One's Canadian Grand Prix is June 8. (AP Photo/Pat Crowe II)

Members of Tony Stewart's pit crew work on his car in the garage area after Stewart and several other drivers were involved in a wreck on lap 17 of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Best Buy 400 auto race Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Russ Hamilton)

"Go with it"? Busch didn't need Gordon's advice on that. Gordon said that Busch doesn't want the role, but that's not the way it looks. After winning at Darlington on Saturday night, Busch played it to the hilt. Rowdy Roddy Piper would've approved of the way Busch climbed out of his car, stood on the roof and bowed grandiosely to the growling masses. In the post-race press conference, Busch said he was disappointed that they only threw empty beer cans at him.

"I'm here to win," he said, unrepentant. "If I win, just makes them more upset and crying on their way home. ... By the way, somebody threw a beer can at me. Next time just make sure it's full so I can enjoy it out there, all right?"

Whoa. Wonder if "Nature Boy" Ric Flair was watching?

Kyle Busch is 23 years old. He's the youngest driver ever to win at Darlington Raceway, NASCAR's toughest track. He's not just tracking Gordon in boos, either. In the season in which he turned 23, Gordon reached nine career victories. The latest victory was Busch's ninth. This season is far from over, however.

Storm clouds had already been gathering. Busch's Richmond run-in that eliminated Earnhardt Jr. on May 3 in Richmond set off the sound and thunder. The Darlington victory put Busch at Category 5. Next up is the Sprint All-Star Race, a slam-bang, segmented hullabaloo that holds historical significance in the past notoriety of Earnhardt Sr., Rusty Wallace and others.

This is the perfect time at the perfect place. Lowe's Motor Speedway is the track at stock-car racing's epicenter.

Carpe diem. That's Latin for "seize the day." At a lower level of discourse, Larry the Cable Guy might say, "Get 'r done."

WHAT GIVES KYLE BUSCH THE EDGE OVER OTHER VILLAINS?

--Tony Stewart doesn't like to be booed. Some even think he's matured.

--Booing Jeff Gordon has gotten old. He's been around a long time.

--Jimmy Spencer, Kurt Busch's chief foil, now only yammers on television.

--He's a role model for young punks everywhere.

--Dale Earnhardt Jr. is just the guy you want to pick on.

--He's both controversial and articulate. And, shades of the young Darrell Waltrip, he's got a big mouth.

--All Jimmie Johnson does is win.

--Being a spokesman for sponsors is like a restrictor plate for most drivers. It limits their personalities but doesn't seem to trouble his.

--NASCAR officials won't admit how much they love it.

--Oh, by the way, he's really, really good.

2008-05-12 12:28:39

Must Read?

34 %

66 %

0 VOTES

Recent Comments

Post Your Own

1 - 10 of 27

27 comments

meandsindy 07:47:06 PM May 19 2008

Report This!

HOW BOUT MY MILLION DOLLAR BOY KASEY KANE ! I HAVE NUMBER 9 TATTOOED ON MY CHEST. eMAIL ME AT MEANDSINDY@AOL.COM. ITS BAD ASS

haft2 12:18:51 PM May 17 2008

Report This!

i wish he wasnt driving a jap car

pick81216 02:06:40 AM May 17 2008

Report This!

I"ve been watching Nascar for 30 years and I have seen a lot of drivers come and go. Kyle can drive a car though he is out of control a lot. Kyle has a head way too big for his own good. Kyle is not as good as he thinks he is and what some people are making him out to be. He has little or no respect for other drivers on or off the track. He is a spoiled rotten brat. His attitude is 10 times worse than Kurts ever was. Finally, Kyle is not and never will be no Dale Sr. People trying to compare him with Dale Sr. (with all do respect) don't know what the hell they are talking about. These people must not know what Sr.did, how he did it or what he was all about. Kyle may become a more respectable person some day but he will never be Dale Sr. There is only one Sr. and there never will be another. I do enjoy watching Kyle race I just wish he was'nt such a spoiled brat and thought he was the second coming.

hotcarengine 08:48:07 PM May 16 2008

Report This!

KYLE BUSCHBABY IS NO DALE SR. NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTTS ABOUT IT. ANYONE WHO THINKS SO IS A DOWN RIGHT FOOL. THERE WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE ONE DALE SR. AND I DIID'NT CARE FOR HIM. THIS IS'NT BOXING.YOUR NOT SUPPOSE TO KNOCK YOUR FELLOW RACER OUT.

camo20000 06:46:19 PM May 15 2008

Report This!

Kyle is pissing people off, racing like he's got a pair, and does not take crap on the track. Hes just good. Hes now my favorite driver. People also get pissed when you tell them the real truth.....HE'S THE NEW DALE EARNHARDT!!!!!!! Junior needs to take some lessons from Kyle.

timberwolfloco 01:09:54 PM May 15 2008

Report This!

Hahahaha dale eat kyles dust you job stealing cry baby. A good race is when you are eating someone dust or jus do not complete it.
My thought of a good crash..dale and jeff gordon hitting the wall and bouncing off each other.
Henricks hired a loser after letting a winner go what was he thinking anyway?
Here is where the redneck comes into play...
You fire the winner to hire a loser smells like a tax break to me guys!

philo99 10:53:16 AM May 15 2008

Report This!

I AM SO SICK OF LITTLE JEFFY GORDONS CRYING. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT A-HOLE GOES OUT THERE AND LOSES EVERY WEEK AND BLAMES IT ON OTHERS. HE SHOULD RETIRE BECAUSE HE HAS LOST IT. HE WRECKS EVERONE BECAUSE HE IS SLOW AND BLOCKS. THE NASCAR TRACK IS NO PLACE FOR A LITTLE COWARD LIKE JEFFY. GO AWAY JEFFY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

haft2 10:11:47 AM May 15 2008

Report This!

hes a punk in a jap car that has a power advantage on the field , make the cars equeal and lets see what happens right now the cars are not equeal its real obvious

tannerfor 02:36:53 AM May 15 2008

Report This!

I wish everybody wish just get over it, Junior Just can't DRIVE until he learns to drive LIKE SR, then he can call him self a race CAR DRIVER,AS FOR AS BLACKS COMING INTO NASCAR,WHO CARE I WELCOME THEM....RACING WAS NOT JUST MENT MENT FOR RED NECKS, HELL ANYBODY CAN DRIVE A CAR LIKE THEY STOLE IT..................GO KYLE I LOVE YOU MAN!!!!

geotoyou 11:36:43 PM May 14 2008

Report This!

paulleddy6 11:10:28 PM May 14 2008

Report This! rush1limbaugh, why don't you just blow up your trailer with you in it?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can't believe you'd talk like that to rush1limpballs! No respect around here at all!!

1 - 10 of 27

27 comments