What Did Kyle Busch Really Mean?

After watching the interviews and reading them online following Sunday's Lenox 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, I'm confused about what Kyle Busch was saying.

And because I'm confused, I'm not going to make false assumptions. Speculation, though, is definitely going to happen.

Kyle was undoubtedly in horrible spirits after finishing 25th in the rain-shortened event. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has won five times in 2008 and leads the point standings, so he's just not used to running poorly.

Add to that getting knocked around under caution by Juan Pablo Montoya, and you can bet Busch wasn't going to be too happy in his post-race interview. Luckily, though, he obliged to the media's request and talked about his race. That's, though, where his comments got a little quirky:

"We missed something all weekend. I knew it was going to be a dismal day and I was trying to make the most of it," Busch said.

"If we had stayed out, we could have won the race, but I just didn't feel that was the right way to win a race. I didn't feel like we had a shot to hold off the guys that were going to be behind us."

So is it safe to assume that Kyle simply didn't want to win the race? Was he the one who made the decision to come to pit road when his brother didn't?

Or, is Kyle taking a dig at his brother Kurt -- whom we know he doesn't get along with great -- for winning a race that he wouldn't have otherwise won had there been no rain?

It almost seems like Kyle was in such a bad mood after never getting the setup that he gave up, or at least decided that winning a race thanks to rain was for the birds.

Of course, I could just be reading in to it too much. What say you?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

6-29-2008 @ 9:57PM

wb said...

i thought since jr. finally won a race, you clowns would give kyle a break, guess not. you people are the same haters each week. well at least the 18 is being talked about, that hasn't happened since bobby left. i am glad to see the 18 in good hands again, great job kyle, keep getting it. see ya tony thanks for 10 great years.

6-29-2008 @ 10:42PM

anzajoe said...

The only way that mickeymouse KURT could got a win this year, was to be out front in a rainy day where nascar always cuts races short; an that's how he got
the win and liked too. What a looser?
NEW HAMSHIRE was another dark ugly end day for TONYV STEWART and few others.
Even the kylie brother dislikes silver plates handed wins.

6-30-2008 @ 7:33AM

Sadie said...

I was listening to his scanner all day and it was his decision to come down pit road that last time. Not Steve Addington's. He wanted to get fresh tires and was really upset when most other people didn't get any tires

6-30-2008 @ 9:07AM

Mark said...

Kyle gets nothing nascar lets him alone know punishment wreck who you want truck races,nationwide,sprint it dos'nt matter just get to the front it dos'nt matter who you run over push,shove,wreck them as long as you get there if you would have done that to dale sr kyle you would of had problems beccause what goes around comes around jr and the rest of the drivers should start driving like you and pay you back [ nascar wake up] its in front of you can,t you see need glasses kyle you have a rude awaking comeing and its going to hurt you need pushed around more often don't worry nascar will protect you but theres alot that won't signed mark

6-30-2008 @ 10:19AM

Maveness said...

Okay, maybe I'm on crack, but...

1. First pays a heck of a lot more than 25th.
2. First gives 10 more bonus points in the Chase.
3. ...You know, I think the first two say it all.

I can understand *any* driver wanting to win based on out running everyone. I do get that. But there are so many times when the best car of the day or the guy that's run hardest doesn't win (gets taken out in a wreck, tire blows, etc.) that honestly, I'd take it any way I could get it. Be consistent (and let's face it, Kurt was consistently better than Kyle all day at New Hampshire) and eventually one gets handed to you.

7-01-2008 @ 12:17PM

RICHARD PRIEST said...

I THINK MONTAYA SHOULD BE SUSPENED FOR AT LEAST TWO RACES FOR WHAT HE DID TO KYLE ON THE CAUSTON LAP BUT I THINK KYE DESERVED IT FOR THE WAY HE DRIVES ANY WAY. MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THAT NASCAR SHOULD SEND THOSE OPEN WHEEL DRIVERS WHO CAME INTO NASCAR CAN'T DRIVE A NASCAR CAR

6-30-2008 @ 2:21PM

KK said...

I use to think races wasnt fixed but now I am starting to wonder about it. Because it seems to me if Kyle does not get in a wreck or something he always wins. Even in the nationwide, trucks, he wins .He is not that good he is rude. Nascar needs to wake up. It's got to where I dont even care if I watch the race or not anymore. I am just so tired of hearing about Kyle.

6-30-2008 @ 3:55PM

Jan said...

I don't understand why Kyle Busch is so hated. Your nasty comments about him show that you are an unwashed ignorant bunch. You are just jealous because he can drive the others into the ground.
What Montoya did was just vicious and hateful and it hurt him more than Kyle. I see he has been sanctioned and that is good, a wild driver like that can kill somebody.
Kyle, I am your fan and I love to watch you race, even if you don't win, there is always a sense of true spirited competition and value when you race.
Jr. and TS are crybabies, I'm surprised they didn't blame you for not winning; hey, they ran out of gas!
If people can't make educated comments in the matter of NASCAR, just shut up and continue to drive your Datsun's.
Jan in Beaver, Utah

6-30-2008 @ 4:05PM

I just don't understand the negative comments concerning Kyle Busch, he;s a good race driver and you people must be either jealous or just morons.
That was a spiteful, evil act by Montoya yesterday, he deserves to be sanctioned for taking Kyle out.
I am a fan of Kyle, he's a good driver and always wants to win and I'm tired of the crying from Jr. and TS.
Kyle, that was a bad thing Montoya did but you are the better driver.
Good luck next week.
Jan in Beaver, Utah

6-30-2008 @ 4:35PM

drgrcr601 said...

What crying from Jr and TS are you talking about Jan?
If you're tired of it, that means there must be a lot of it. I hope you are not a poster that throws accusations out there without facts. So be please be specific.

Ron

6-30-2008 @ 7:02PM

Kim said...

Actually Jan,

The only one that was a cry baby after yesterday's race was Kyle Busch! He whined about his brother not winning by driving, but by rain and pit strategy. He whined about Juan (when the situation was partially his fault as well). Actually when they interviewed Tony at the conclusion of the race, he stated he was dissapointed, but I heard no whining. And I don't even recall an interview with Jr. whining, so yes...I agree with Ron, please give examples! You talk about facts, how about providing some before you throw out accusations about others!

Kim

6-30-2008 @ 8:33PM

Meaghan said...

Even on Wind Tunnel they say that Kyle Busch IS the most HATED man in Nascar....and I believe it

6-30-2008 @ 8:31PM

Brad said...

WOW,,,,,

Jan,, that's a hoot......if you can't figure out why KB is so hated then you must not have been watching Nascar for very long. The only one making 'UN-EDUCATED' comments that I can see is you........what crying did TS and JR do. What Montoya did under CAUTION wasn't even close to the chaos KB has caused under green flag conditions, so if your not going to make 'EDUCATED' comments in a Nascar sense then take your black and white TV, stuff it into your VW and move outta MOOSEJAWUTAH to somewhere that might 'EDUCATE' you with a little Nascar knowledge ! ! ! JMO

Aloha, Brad

P.S. What Montoya did is just the first in a long line of paybacks that Kyle will have to learn the hard way from. And a two lap penalty for rough driving ( with no probation mind you )........geeeeezzzz when did that become 'SANCTIONED'.....MAN THAT'S A GOOD ONE JAN, Hell they didn't even put it in the 'DETRIMENTAL TO NASCAR RACING' category.

6-30-2008 @ 9:27PM

Susan said...

I have read many insults here before but unwashed ignorant Datsun drivers is a new one to me.

6-30-2008 @ 10:07PM

Well Jan, were waiting on "educated comments" to our requests. If you don't have the guts to answer then I can only suggest you go play somewhere else because your posts will no longer carry any weight, if they ever did. JMO

Ron

6-30-2008 @ 10:52PM

len said...

the only reason that kyle busch is so hated is dale jr fans are jealous! kyle is doing what dale jr isnt.. i do not even pull for kyle but it could be dave blaney winning races and JUNIOR NATION would hate him too..

6-30-2008 @ 11:02PM

kurt busch wins a race because it rains ( nascar has no control over that) but dale jr wins a race under caution? a win is a win, right?

7-01-2008 @ 1:22AM

Don Emerson said...

What a suck-ass end to a pretty decent race. (excuse me while I whine), To be honest, Kyle's wins have been most impressive because he got them the old fashioned way...he earned them. So like him or not, at least give credit where credit is due. This year Nascar has become more like a chess match than a racing event. The powers that be took a simple uncomplicated sport and turned it into a highly technical, rule infested, money ruled parody of itself. With all the computers in the pits, experts of every kind lurking about with statistics and advice, pit crews with college degrees who look upon it as their profession, and overpaid drivers who feel more at home on Wall Street than working on their cars, it's no wonder that roots of racing have been trampled underfoot by the all mighty dollar. Sometimes newer, bigger, more modern, are not better in the end. What happened to a man, his machine, and his dream, the very things that made Nascar take hold and grow in the first place. In a way I guess it's no more than a reflection on the human race as a whole. We never seem to be able to just accept something good, enjoy it and leave it alone. We always have to redesign it, make it better, or change it to suit our idea of what it should be. So before you hang the Nascar bunch, take a look around you and see what you have willingly lost due to so called progress. It's fooloish to think we can return to the early days of racing, or even those of our youth. But we can take a look at what we've lost and fight like the devil to hold on to what little remains. Works for me....

7-01-2008 @ 8:23AM

Mike said...

Unwashed? Datsun? Oh my. Jan, there is nobody that really doubts Kyle's raw driving ability. He is very good. However, as a human being he is a sad pathetic little man. A true example that money cannot buy class. He is as far from being a role model for young people to aspire to as one can get. While none of the drivers get in the car and tell themselves "let's go out and be a good role model today" the fact is that they are to millions of young fans. Maybe if Tony Stewart were to turn him on to his doctor so Kyle could get the help he needs, people would like him a tad bit more.
MBL

7-01-2008 @ 10:27AM

And I will give credit where credit is due. Good post Don. One of the best you have written and I totally agree. JMO

Ron