Make the Call: Is Busch the Next Intimidator?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has stated many a time that he's not one for controversy and stirring the pot like his father Dale Earnhardt used to.

Thursday at Darlington in preparation for Saturday night's Dodge Challenger, I can bet Junior was trying to just be done with the entire Kyle Busch incident, and said that Busch has a very similar driving style to the elder Earnhardt. Here's the quotes:

"On the racetrack, there may be some comparisons there," Earnhardt Jr. said Thursday. "He's fast ... he's slick, he's aggressive."

"That's the way dad raced and Kyle has that same style," Earnhardt Jr. continued. "Very aggressive."

Hmm. Bold statement, Mr. Earnhardt. Bold.

I definitely understand where Junior is coming from in this situation, but it seems a little over dramatic. Is Kyle Busch aggressive? Does trouble to seem follow him? Is controversy nearly a synonym for his name?

Well, because I answered "Yes" to my own three questions, I'm going to have to say that on track, Busch can be very similar. Earnhardt was the only driver that I had even seen race for position in 43rd like he was going for the win.

Busch can do, and has done, the same.

I think Earnhardt Jr. makes a valid description, but after the week of Kyle Busch vs. Dale Jr. comments after their incident at Richmond, I'd like to hear your side. What say you?

Is Kyle Busch the next Dale Earnhardt?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

5-09-2008 @ 2:52AM

Brad said...

His driving style is very similar but there was only ONE INTIMIDATOR............maybe we should call him the ...... BUSCHWACKER ! ! !

Aloha, Brad

5-09-2008 @ 7:30AM

racing20guy said...

This is probably the same comment that is going o be said over and over, but, while Kyle may have a similar style, there will only be one Intimidator. I was never really a Dale Sr fan but I always had respect for the man and even more so after his untimely death.

5-09-2008 @ 8:05AM

Mike said...

I am sure this one will endear you to the loyal #3 fans, Geoffrey. The green hoarde is probably wincing as well. Let's just hope for the sake of his two fans, Bernie and Peaches, and his family he does not let his wrecklessness kill him like Dale did.
Kyle is a very good driver and I am sure his driving style is earning him just as many friends on track as Dale had in the early years; none.
MBL

5-09-2008 @ 9:40AM

Don Emerson said...

Hats off to Jr for telling it like it is. Kyle is cut from the same cloth as Dale Sr, only time will tell if he really measures up. The COT couldn't have come along at a better time, it suits Kyle's driving style to a tee. And no, he doesn't have many friends on the track, but neither did Dale Sr, it goes with the territory. Thanks Kyle, for making this a very interesting season so far. Works for me.....

5-09-2008 @ 11:28AM

#18GirlyManHater said...

I think Nascar should ban Kyle Busch period. There is alot of drivers in the Nationwide&Truck series that deserves the chance to race in the Nextel Cup not this Little Dumba$$ Punk.I agree someone needs to jerk a knot or two in his butt for sure. And also comparing him to the late Dale Sr. OMG....No F** Way!!!! not even close. He Wishes! I have to say Hendrick definately made a great decision by letting him go. Hopefully Nascar will get the picture.

5-09-2008 @ 12:18PM

GGarr10670 said...

Kyle Busch is no more "The New Intimidator" than were Jimmy Spencer and Geoff Bodine, the previous two "wild things" on the big circuit. Being reckless may, indeed, be intimidating to others around you, but it is only when - and if - Kyle Busch learns to turn that recklessness into controlled mayhem that he will have earned the title.

5-09-2008 @ 12:34PM

John said...

WHATS WRONG WITH YOU....How Could you even say that???? THERE IS ONLY O N E INTIMIDATOR!!!!!!! DON'T EVEN PUT HIM IN A CLASS WITH DALE!!!
Busch IS JUST AN ARROGANT SMART ALIC!!! WITH NO REGUARD FOR OTHER PEOPLE............

5-09-2008 @ 2:32PM

Kim said...

To those of you who are so disgusted by the comparisson of Earnhardt St. to Busch:

What, you think Earnhardt was a nice guy on the track? He was one of the most hated drivers in Racing. Yes, he is well respected now for all that he accomplished and yes, he was an amazing talent on the race track, but his driving style sure did not win him any friends.

The comparisson to Busch is just that, a comparisson. We ALL know that there could never be another Earnhardt Sr. He did afterall change the entire face of racing and brought a whole new set of fans to the sport. The question was is Kyle's driving style similar and will he be the next most hated driver on the circuit for being dangerous and rough? The answer, a resounding YES.

Kim

5-10-2008 @ 7:40AM

STONEY LEE JOHNSON said...

KYLE WOULDNT MAKE A PIMPLE ON BIG E'S BUTT BUT YOU LISTEN TO THOSE CLOWNS IN THE BOOTH YOUD THINK HE WAS THE MESSIA

5-09-2008 @ 5:00PM

drgrcr601 said...

For all of you who say (I'm still scratching my head on this one) Dale Sr had no friends at the track go find a replay of the "98" Daytona 500 that Dale won and look at the reception he got on pit road. You probably go back at least that far dontcha Don?

Ron

5-09-2008 @ 5:14PM

anzajoe said...

YES, HE CAN REALLY WELL BE THE NEXT INTIMIDATOR.
KYLE driving style, his aggressiveness, his slicknes,his fast forward driving, his scareless posture is very similar to DALE and RALPH EARNHARDT.
When it comes to integtity, caracter, personality,
comparing DALE/KYLE is a defferent matter.
WE should compare DALE/KYLE,when DALE WAS 23 year old and than we could real compare the persons instead than just the driving.
AT age 20 to 30 DALE RACING was. WALTRIP, GET OUT OF MY WAY OR I'LL WRECK YOU. ASK DARREL WALTRIP OR
JUNIOR JOHNSON and you'll see.

5-09-2008 @ 5:22PM

Joe Anza;
I just finished reading your post on the issue on another blog. I was hoping you would cut and paste it here. You make a very good point to compare 23 year old Kyle to 23 year old Dale. At the end of Dales career he was loved by some, hated by some, but respected by all as Ron Alluded to.
Michael Bishop LeVan

5-09-2008 @ 5:26PM

Yep you're right anza but racing was much different then (back in the day) when Nascar hardly got a mention. Now with big sponsors and huge money involved we will never go back to that style so it really makes no sense to compare Kyle to Dale Sr except to say he's very aggressive. Would Dale Sr have driven today as he did back then? Maybe but who really knows with totally different circumstances.

Ron

5-09-2008 @ 8:29PM

You can't really compare the two at age 23, besides being from 2 totally era's Dale Sr. didn't even make his Nascar debut until he was 24 in 1975 and thru 1978 only had 8 starts being 27 years old. By the time Kyle turned 23 he's making million of $ and Dale at age 23 was struggling to feed his wife and Kids.

Aloha, Brad

5-09-2008 @ 8:30PM

ooops should have been 'different era's'

5-09-2008 @ 10:20PM

Marina said...

This comparison is a total INSULT to all the Earnhardt fans... Busch is trying to gain attention for himself and going after the person (Jr) who could have won the race. Or is it maybe Busch's way of getting back at Hendricks? The ONLY comparison you can make with Busch, is the beer, and it's crappy to.
PLEASE PLEASE, do not compare this loser to a legend. He needs to pay his dues, and payback is coming, Earnhardt style.

5-09-2008 @ 10:47PM

ksue said...

The Answer to this is very simple NO! No! and NO.

5-10-2008 @ 1:05AM

Peaches said...

Why mr Miller do you keep smoking all my comments?

5-10-2008 @ 1:23AM

No he is not the next Dale SR. But will be so dam close it will be scary.....

Kim he did it again, open mouth and insert FOOT,WHERE'S THAT PR MAN..........LOL

MIKE, glad you remember Bernie & myself as Kyles Only two Fans,If it was not for us who would his fan BASE be?...........lol

5-10-2008 @ 4:31AM

anzaj said...

MIKE,ROM, BRAD, I replyed to your posts explaining in what ways bush can be compared to dale.It has not been posted and soon after smoked away. It just never got posted at all.I never even got the confirmation e-mail.It has exploded and incinerated in the stratosfere, FOR NO REASON. NOTHING insulting, no attack, nothing nasty was included. Lets hope this one ridges venus/mars.

| 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments