Why Kyle Busch Is Needed In NASCAR

by 4ever3 on May 13, 2008 12:09 AM EDT

Love him or hate him, Kyle Busch is good for NASCAR. Why? Because NASCAR needs a 'bad boy' right now, and Kyle easily fills those boots.

'Bad Boys' generate interest, and the more interest that is generated the more the sport benefits.

Every sport has their 'Bad Boys'.

Baseball had 'alleged' steroid user and home-run king Barry Bonds. Whether you like him or not Barry filled seats. Roger Clemens seems destined to take Barry's role of baseball's bad guy, but we'll have to see.

Hockey has had many 'Bad Boys' over the years. Sean Avery is the NHL's current cretin. Avery's so bad that the NHL had to create a new rule because of his actions against New Jersey Devils' goalie Martin Brodeur (pick it up at the 1:20 mark) during this year's play-offs.

The NBA has had a few as well, but the most memorable was Dennis Rodman who head butted referee Ted Bernhardt during a game in New Jersey on March 16, 1996.

And it goes on and on.

NASCAR has Kyle Busch. Kyle's actions on the track and at the track have generated news, and interest. From Kyle's damning comments about the CoT in victory lane, to his most recent spinning of NASCAR's most popular driver (as voted by you) Dale Earnhardt Jr when he seemed poised to end a 2 year win-less streak, Kyle's popularity of unpopularity has steadily grown and as a result created more interest in NASCAR.

His actions, good or bad, have people talking about NASCAR and that is what NASCAR needs. The more people talk about it the more interest that is generated, the more the ticket sales and Neilson ratings will increase as people will either go to races or tune in to see what 'Bad Boy' Kyle will do next.

Kyle fills the 'Bad Boy' void in NASCAR right now. Tony Stewart used to be the Bad Boy, but he has mellowed in the last few years. Robby Gordon inadvertently tries to pick up the black hat and wear it sometimes (remember last year's Montreal race?) but he does not run up front enough to be in the fight for the win (unless it is a road course) to generate the kind of interest that seemingly perpetual front runner (at least this year) Busch does. So who's left to wear the black bad boy hat? No one, even Kyle's older brother Kurt doesn't fit the 'Bad Boy' mold anymore.

It seems that Kyle is willing to take on this role and is having fun with it as demonstrated during the driver introductions and the driver parade laps during last weekend's race at Darlington - he even parked his car on the front stretch after winning the race, got out, and bowed to the booing crowd. Kyle also taunted Dale Jr fans by thanking them for treating him 'so well' this past week after the incident between him and Dale at Richmond that left Earnhardt fans foaming at the mouth and screaming for vengeance.

The problem here for Kyle is that he needs to take this whole 'Bad Boy' image very seriously, because if he continues the way he's going he could be facing serious repercussions, like isolating his sponsors, if he does not take care of his image. It is alright to be the 'Bad Boy' as long as its good for the image, but if it isn't you're in trouble.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. wore the 'black hat' for a long while, but he wore it with respect. Dale worked his image around it, marketing himself as 'The Intimidator' and used it to his benefit on the track and in merchandising.

When Dale used his 'Intimidator' reputation on the track he calculated his moves and used his bumper with a finesse and precision of a world class surgeon. Dale raced you the way you raced him, but he always made sure that he would come out on top.

Unlike Dale Sr, Kyle is more reckless in his tactics and not as calculating. Not yet anyway.

Currently Kyle has not shown the same respect for the 'black hat' that Dale Sr did and that is not sitting well with fans. If Kyle wants the same image as 'The Intimidator' had he needs to cultivate it, and stop coming across as a smug punk both on and off the track or he'll just end up as 'The Imitator'.

Regardless, either way, it will be NASCAR that benefits in the end.

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The question has to be asked. Do you think that Kyle Busch is the first one testing NASCAR's policy of "going back to basics" and allowing drivers to show a little personality and emotion?

I still believe that Kyle Busch is just a punk kid, but I agree that his actions are bringing more viewers to NASCAR. He has to be careful, though, because someone is going to come and knock him off his high horse.

Cesar
RacingForTheWin.com

by Cesar Covarrubias on May 13, 2008 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

I still just don't see Kyle Busch as "the badboy" of NASCAR. I think that the media's given him that image, and he's doing all that he can to run with it. I think it's more him being reckless and impatient than it is him having anything of an "intimidator" attitude.

Let's not forget ... older brother Kurt used to be the same way out there on the track 'till Jimmy Spencer cleaned his clock. That could be around the corner for Kyle, and then we'll see how he acts out there.

by Tim Zaegel on May 13, 2008 9:42 PM EDT reply actions

Kyle does seem to be quite the punk in contrasting performances. He blows off the media when he has bad days, then blames lapped traffic for going too low and making it three wide in Darlington when he wrecks.

He whines more than anyone I can remember.

When Sr. riled the crowd, it was from his success and on-track "intimidation" tactics. He never interacted with the crowd to antagonize them. He didn't need to.

NASCAR does need the attention, but I think they'd do better with a conflict, not a single kid acting out because he can.

With that said, he's got himself one heck of a scenario that's gelling incredibly well and I hope he can ride it for a year or two because when it ends, this charade of his will get very old.

by Bruce Simmons on May 13, 2008 11:55 PM EDT reply actions

Well...as long as he stays away from Dale Jr., I suppose I could go along with what you're saying.

by Cheyenne on May 14, 2008 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

This clip doesn't sound and act alot like a current day Little Busch, after he has had a bad day? I sure think it does.

Sr takes a quick 'shot' and then storms off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ZzQSYq5WQ&feature=related

by okla21fan on May 14, 2008 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

oops, see it this link is smaller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ZzQSYq5WQ

by okla21fan on May 14, 2008 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

My girlfriend made an excellent point the other day. Kyle Busch is just like Lightning McQueen in the movie "Cars", before he gets to Radiator Springs.

I know, it is not a very good comparison, but it made sense.

Cesar
RacingForTheWin.com

by Cesar on May 14, 2008 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, I can see him, being the "bad boy" my only wonder is if he can back that up off the track? I do think like his brother, he is going to really ruffle someone's feathers and not be able to get out of the way fast enough. (Before someone's fist makes contact) These guys race way to hard and experience road/track rage, there are just too many emotions out there. So hopefully his pit crew continues to be Johnny on the Spot, to keep him from really getting into it with someone.
Just my two cents.
Kendria

by Anonymous on May 15, 2008 1:10 AM EDT reply actions

Cesar,

Lightning McQueen eh? hmmm ...

by 4ever3 on May 15, 2008 1:40 AM EDT reply actions

okla,
I see your point but consider this:

I remember that interview, and that was just after they introduced the 'areo package' that was on the cars when Dale died. He was upset because what NASCAR did was take the control out of the driver's hands with all that areo stuff and what do they go and do after Dale died? Make the CoT so that the driver's can go and drive the car again and the first thing Kyle Busch does, after he wins the race no less, is cut it up because he now has to drive the car. I think winning the race would be a good reason for not whining don't you? Not in Kyle Busch's case.

by 4ever3 on May 15, 2008 1:49 AM EDT reply actions

Just a point of clarification.

the youtube clip was after the 2000 twin 125s. Later that same year SR with very much the same aero package won his last race.

He didnt 'complain' much that day. ;)

by okla21fan on May 15, 2008 8:25 AM EDT reply actions

I was the first one to back Kyle when he bashed the CoT after the Bristol race. Who better to make valid complaints than the winner? Would anyone else have the authority to complain without his thoughts being dismissed as sour grapes?

by Amy on May 22, 2008 2:04 AM EDT reply actions

I don't think Kyle Busch does anythink wrong. I am a HUGE Kyle Busch fan and I think he is very good and his driving style is great!
P.S. the "wreck" between him and Jr. was racing
GO JGR #18- KYLE BUSCH

by Anonymous on May 31, 2008 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

I think Klye Busch cheats at winning and cheats to win. gust look back a richmond he takes out JR to win but he didn't win he is the worst thing in NASCAR sence Toyota and Toyota shouldent be in NASCAR because they dont even make a V8 CAR!!!!

by Anonymous on Jun 23, 2008 11:56 AM EDT reply actions