A year removed from Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s last victory and a week removed from Kyle Busch's controversial guitar smash, the latter couldn't help but sway the conversation back to the driver who has become his primary off-track target.And this time, Busch not only went after the commander of the No. 88 ship, but Earnhardt Jr.'s army of fans, too.
"I got no issues with Junior; it's his fans that are crazy," said Busch.
That, folks, is how you get even further to the wrong side of NASCAR's largest fan base.
Busch was talking about the fan reaction to his attempt at rock stardom last weekend at Nashville Superspeedway, and had previously said during his Friday interview time with the media at Michigan International Speedway that Earnhardt Jr. fans were the ones who were most against it.
"A lot of people enjoyed it," Busch said of his post-race antics. "A lot of people hated it. I guess those are the ones with 88s tattooed on their arms, or maybe still 8s."
Busch, of course, was referring to Earnhardt Jr.'s current and past car numbers.
Wild NASCAR Fans
Fan Of: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Ind.
When: 2005
Click through the gallery to see more NASCAR fanatic photos.
Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images
Fan Of: Jeff Gordon
Where: Daytona International Speedway
When: 2009
Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images for NASCAR
Fan Of: Dale Earnhardt
Where: Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala.
When: 2005
Nick Laham, Getty Images
Fans Of: Matt Kenseth and Bobby Labonte
Where: Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn.
When: 2007
Jason Smith, Getty Images for NASCAR
Fan Of: Driver Autographs
Where: Lowe's Motor Speedway in in Concord, N.C.
When: 2008
Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images for NASCAR
Fan Of: The Earnhardts and Beer Bongs
Where: Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga.
When: 2005
Nick Laham, Getty Images
Fan Of: Denny Hamlin
Where: Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala.
When: 2007
Chris Graythen, Getty Images
Fan Of: Flags
Where: Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del.
When: 2008
Chris Graythen, Getty Images
Fan Of: Carl Edwards
Where: Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del.
When: 2008
Chris Graythen, Getty Images
Fan Of: Team Owner Ray Evernham
Where: Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn.
When: 2007
Chris Graythen, Getty Images
The jab was the second in three weeks aimed from Busch to Earnhardt Jr., but this time Earnhardt felt compelled to respond.
"I really don't see how that argument really is that relevant to anything and I don't even know really what kind of problem he has or what kind of solution he wants. I don't really get into it," said Earnhardt Jr. later in the afternoon.
"My fans will handle themselves. They're good people," Earnhardt Jr. said. "We've got a lot of great fans that follow this sport and they're very loyal to us and we need them more now than ever right now, so I think anyone who would be calling them out and stirring them up is causing problems not only for himself but everyone else in this sport."
While Busch certainly is just adding the driest of kindling to an inferno of fan spite thanks to his both his on-track winning percentage and his off-track decisions, I can't really see what he said impacting the sport negatively.
Instead, it's more likely to inject more support of Earnhardt Jr. from his fans and a few more boos come Sunday during driver introductions for driver No. 18.
But, come on, after attempting to smash a Gibson Les Paul trophy in victory lane, can Busch really fall any lower in the eyes of those who don't call him a favorite or wear the M&M's T-shirts?
All together now: That's just Kyle being Kyle.
And that's how it'll be, whether we like it or not.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 20)
6-12-2009 @ 8:23PM
ronired said...
Busch is such a piece of work....Jr. will always be the better man and maybe that's what provokes him to say such stupid things. I would bet his character is the same off the track as it appears on...he's like a child that continuously has a temper tantrum...perhaps he needs a "time out".
Reply
6-13-2009 @ 7:44PM
Jeri said...
Boy are you right about his off track attitude. I'm from Las Vegas and I'm very familiar with Kyle, Kurt and most of the drivers at LVMS Bullring. Kyle has ALWAYS had an attitude. My son used to be a Kyle fan, until he saw what he was really like back home, before he made it to Nascar. I remember a situation that he caused with a driver that was still in his (own) car. When the driver got out to confront Kyle, he ran like the little b**ch he is....I'm going to have to take Jr's side on this one and I'm not usually a Jr fan either.
6-13-2009 @ 8:48PM
jacksarmir said...
boy that sounds like jr whenhe started out and his dad!!!!!!!!!
6-14-2009 @ 7:36AM
karendelan said...
I agree 100%. Kyle is so immature. Just the look on his face is enough to rile a lot of people up.
6-14-2009 @ 7:51AM
cpdeals said...
Busch had better start worrying about Joey Logano, who not only will be a better driver than Busch is, but has the whole package of good looks an personality to go with it. (I hope he stays that way.)Yep, I can see it now....before too long, Bush will be bad mouthing Joey also as Joey runs all over him on the track. It will start with.."I was a much better driver than that baby when I was his age"....yada, yada, yada....Jr. will always be a winner!
6-14-2009 @ 8:57AM
Ron said...
It's the jerks after Kyle wins that he's taking about, just common sense folks.
6-14-2009 @ 11:53AM
mwill1914 said...
I totally agree! Kyle is ugly inside (and out), and as arrogant a person as I've ever seen. He's not worthy to wash Earnhardt's feet, and a discredit to the whole racing community. Doing good racing (right now - his time will come) did not make him the a-hole he is, he obviously has been one for many years.
6-22-2009 @ 10:41AM
GRAVES ELECTRIC said...
I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER BUSH IS A BIG CRY BABY.
6-12-2009 @ 8:57PM
Kim said...
Kyle may be a butthead, agreed. Jr. does have a classier attitude and a way bigger fan base mostly due to his winning personality, not necessarily his winning on the track. And like I said in a previous blog about this before, what's wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. We are fans of certain drivers for our own personal and very certain reasons. Jr.'s fanbase adores him because of who he is and what he stands for. That's all that matters.
Busch on the other hand may be a winner on the track, I'll give him that. He is one hell of a driver, but his attitude sucks and isn't going to gain him any new fans by picking on the famous "Jr. Nation" crowd, nor should it!
Do I like Busch as a person? Heck no. Do I enjoy watching him just to see what he is going to do next? Heck yes!
Kim
Reply
6-12-2009 @ 10:14PM
gregsachiko said...
I absolutely agree with Kim's statements.
I like Jr better the Busch, but Bush's driving is exciting.
I would much rather drink a beer with Jr and the first word out of Busch's mouth would probably have me slapping him silly. BUT as my employer (The largest automotive company in the WORLD)
I support him and others. My man is Mark Martin and I predict he will win this race!!
Oh and Hatwit, how is the hummers up there?
Oh sorry China owns them now....
The rising sun in Michigan, funny the airport in Detriot has both English and Japanese writings everywhere, LOVE IT!
Haftwit when you are at the races just remember
Greed will lead you to evil=GM.
i he ho kanji te ne ! (Have a good day)
Greg-san
Reply
6-12-2009 @ 10:16PM
Mingo said...
The sport truely needs no bad press right now. The Sport is in dire trouble,the main sponsor GM may be gone for good along with Dodge. Toyota and Ford are both hurting and no matter what they may cut back too Kyle Busch needs to grow up and worry more about the sport No its not Kyle being Kyle its a man who has a great team and great equipment Winning races don't make you great making the sport better does
Reply
6-12-2009 @ 10:41PM
guizzotti said...
I hate to tell you but in a year or two nascar might be down to just ford (only american car company that refused bailout) and japanese brands. so if youwant nascar to continue you might want to start thanking those japanese brands.
Reply
6-12-2009 @ 11:43PM
gregsachiko said...
guizzotti,
Wrong,,Ford did take that first bailout,
Sept of 2008, AND when they went back to get the second one in Dec 2008 that is when they had to be in front of the entire government, with them asking "WHY?" Ford had enough rescourcs to sell the remainder 24% odf the 34% shares back to Mazda (Smart move) Selling of those crappy worst made range rovers/land rovers and Jags gave them some cash to play with. Now they are selling the volvos (Big mistake) to the Chinese.
Trust me the majority of the public does not know about Ford getting that first bailout installment.Because it was never broadcast as much as the second one in front of the hearing for the world to see.
Greg-san
Reply
6-13-2009 @ 10:45PM
Hi there said...
FORD DID NOT take any federal money it came with too much oversight from government and FORD declined it
6-13-2009 @ 10:52PM
Hi there said...
Even Ford has not heard they took the bailout money Only Greg heard they did, LOL what an idiot Greg is for not looking the facts up.
6-14-2009 @ 9:08AM
lbthedawg said...
Bailout? Toyota is a bailout. All the Japanese corporations got one in 1995 when the Bank of Japan devalued the yen by cutting the prime to a half percent. Guess who paid? All Americans whether they wanted to or not. Why support the liars from Japan. Fair trade, not fraud trade.
6-12-2009 @ 11:56PM
Susan said...
Ford did not take any bailout money. GM, Chrysler and Ford did all appear in front of Congress. Ford did not accept any funds tho.
Reply
6-13-2009 @ 12:31AM
mike said...
no wonder shrub is pissed off..he has no fans.....his own brother cant stand him
Reply
6-13-2009 @ 9:40PM
Tony said...
I agree Busch doesn't have fans, but he does have a anti fan base, which is hurting the sport. The more he acts up the more people look at Nascar fans as a bunch of rednecks....wake up Nascar
6-14-2009 @ 10:03AM
KiKi said...
First I want to say that we all have our loyalty to our drivers and that is what makes this sport so great! I hate to break it to you but Kyle does have two fans, me and my husband! I'm a bigger Kurt fan but I'll support Little Shrub too. I guess it's easy to hate the guy that knows how to get the job done and easier to love the underdog. I remember a time when all the bad talk was about Tony Stewart and in time it will be someone else. There always has to be a bad guy and I guess Kyle is the chosen one...for now. I do agree that Kyle needs to grow up, if his brother can do it, so can he.