Kyle Busch Grows Up
Kyle Busch Grows Up – But Will It Last?
Kyle Busch showed a little more maturity and professionalism this weekend at Bristol – and he may have earned a few more fans for it.
In Friday night’s Nationwide Series race Kyle Busch was wrecked while leading by rookie Chase Austin when Austin turned left in front of Kyle sending Busch’s car into the wall.
The fans erupted in a loud cheer when they saw Kyle crash. Busch simply climbed from his car and headed straight to his hauler. But he came out after a few minutes to speak to the media. Everyone expected him to blast the young rookie who had just taken him out.
Instead, Kyle had this to say:
“Real unfortunate that it happened,” Busch said. “I’ve made mistakes too. I guess the spotter didn’t see the leader coming didn’t have the spotter telling him the leaders were bearing down. It stinks that it’s this early in the race that we’re talking to you.”
“If he had a flat tire it’s a rookie thing. You live and you learn. Chase didn’t have the spotter telling him stay high.”
“I heard a lot of fans were happy about it. That’s how I knew it was Kyle,” said Chase Austin of the crowd’s response to Busch’s wreck.
Then Saturday night after winning the Sharpie 500 Sprint Cup race Kyle climbed from his car – grabbed the checkered flag – and handed it to a little girl at the fence who was wearing an M&Ms Shirt.
I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Kyle Busch’s temper – but he seemed to have it under control this weekend.
Dale Earnhatdt 3 Truck
Spotted on eBay: Dale Earnhardt No. 3 Truck
Here’a a 1997 Chevy pickup with an authentic Dale Earnhardt Black No. 3 paint scheme that I found on eBay. If I had this truck I would be driving it to the Atlanta race on Labor Day Weekend — It’s a cool looking truck.
See all 37 photos and details
Dale Earnhardt Wins Daytona 500
Greatest Moments in NASCAR: Dale Earnhardt Wins Daytona 500
Dale Earnhardt does everything he has to do to win the Daytona 500. Earnhardt dominated the race’s final laps — and in those days when the caution flag flew the driver’s still raced back to the finish line. Every man on every crew came out to congratulate Dale.
Dale Earnhardt Roller Coaster
Want to ride the Dale Earnhardt Intimidator 305 Roller Coaster?
Kings Dominion amusement park just outside Richmond, Virginia is preparing to open the Intimidator 305 – a Dale Earnhardt themed Giga-coaster that will be the tallest and fastest coaster on the East Coast.
The first drop on the Intimidator 305 is 300 feet – and it reaches a top speed of 92 mph.
The $25 million ride has 6 airtime humps and 3 high speed turns.
All that kinda sounds like a lap around Bristol.
The ride opens up next April. Will I see you there in line to ride it?
Obama Backs Down From NASCAR Flyover Ban
Obama Backs Down From NASCAR Flyover Ban
It looks like President Obama will not be so quick to ban NASCAR flyovers after all.
Obama is finally listening to you the NASCAR fans. When you said you wanted to keep the flyovers the President heard you loud and clear.
He went out of his way to talk about flyovers in a meeting with several NASCAR drivers Wednesday. Here is what Obama said:
“NASCAR is about a lot more than just racing cars. It’s about supporting our troops and our veterans, from flyovers and red, white and blue paint jobs on Memorial Day to your visits to Walter Reed and Iraq and Afghanistan that show our appreciation for the brave men and women who are serving our country.”
Thank you for all your comments. NASCAR fans have made one Change in America.
Kyle Busch Skips Obama Meeting
Kyle Busch Skips Obama Meeting
Barack Obama invited 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson and the 11 other Chase drivers from last year to the White House for a months late celebration and meeting on the South Lawn.
Kyle Busch decided to skip the ceremonies.
Maybe Kyle doesn’t agree with Obama’s politics. Or maybe he was just in a hurry to get to Bristol for the truck race. But he wasn’t the only one who didn’t show up. Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth were also invited but did not go.
“You know, it is not every day that we have a championship stock car parked out on the South Lawn,” said Obama. “Fortunately, we got Jimmie to agree not to do any burnouts or tear up my backyard.”
Who knew? I thought that that backyard belonged to the American People.
The drivers who did attend were Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart.
Obama also invited past NASCAR Champions and special guests Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Juan Pablo Montoya, Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip.
This is the ninth time — since 1978 — that NASCAR Champions have been invited to the White House.
“NASCAR is once again honored to have its drivers recognized by the President of the United States,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “NASCAR is rooted deep in America’s fabric and represents the best of sports and side by side competition.”
Obama said NASCAR is not just about racing — but about America.
“It’s about all the foundations NASCAR has started to support schools and hospitals, combat hunger and homelessness,” said Obama. “And work to help folks in our communities — like the campers here from Victory Junction – kids who can teach us all a thing or two about courage and hope, and I hope had the time of their lives at summer camp.”
“So today, I want to thank all of you for that and for everything you do to make this country a better country. And I wish you all the best of luck in this year’s Chase,” said Obama.
“God bless all of you, and God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much, everybody.”
Obama never made a campaign stop at a NASCAR track when he was running for office. John McCain did. I wonder why he has decided to reach out to NASCAR and its fans now.
Did Kyle Busch make the right decision in skipping the ceremonies?
Dale Earnhardt Jr Stands Up to NASCAR
Dale Jr Has the Guts to Stand Up to NASCAR
Dale Earnhardt Jr has said what almost every other driver in the Sprint Cup Garage has been thinking for the past 2 years.
Junior has called NASCAR out saying that the COT is not producing very good racing.
So far Junior has been the only one with enough guts to call NASCAR out for what he considers poor racing.
“I feel like, especially right now, we need to really, really try to turn over every stone, and that includes where we are with this COT,” said Dale Jr.
“They don’t seem as willing to produce a better race car that will put on the type of races that we all wish to see,” Earnhardt said of NASCAR. “I feel like in a way we are holding ourselves back. We’re short-changing ourselves.”
This Car Sucks
When Kyle Busch won the first race in the COT at Bristol in 2007 the first thing he said was “This car sucks.” He might have seemed like an ungrateful winner that day – but most drivers and crew chiefs agreed with him.
“I think we need to open our eyes a little bit. Everyone.” Dale Earnhardt Jr said. “I think the media could address it a little stronger, and I think the drivers could be a little more vocal about it.”
“We have the technology and the people to build a car that will make for exciting racing dramatic, side-by-side racing that will sell tickets, excite fans and thrill people, but we have yet to pursue and try to obtain that,” said Earnhardt
“Before, I thought it was rather poor,” said Earnhardt, referring to the excitement level in racing prior to the implementation of Double-file / Shootout Style restarts.
“We almost depended on a late caution to save the day to make somebody race side by side for a couple of laps. Somehow that saved the day,” said Earnhardt.
Race Fans Not Getting Money’s Worth
“It was very frustrating because 95 percent of the race wasn’t worth the price of the ticket,” Junior said.
In June 2008 NASCAR quietly told the drivers to tone down the complaints against the car that had been flying fast and furious – basically the drivers were told to just shut up and drive. And there hasn’t been too much complaining against NASCAR by drivers since then – until now.
Now that Dale Earnhardt Jr has voiced his concerns I am sure other drivers will do the same. But it took someone with Earnhardt’s clout to get the discussion started. We’ll see if NASCAR listens.
I am all for more exciting races. What do you think NASCAR can do to make racing more exciting?
Dale Earnhardt Ladies Ring
Dale Earnhardt Ring
Have you seen the Dale Earnhardt Ladies Gold collector ring from The Franklin Mint? This ring is a limited edition – only 1000 of them were made – and they originally retailed for $695.
I found a few of them on eBay for only $395 – Brand New. This would make a pretty interesting gift for a lady who is an Earnhardt fan.
See the ring on eBay
Michigan Answer Back: Have Your Say
Michigan Answer Back: Have Your Say
Dale Earnhardt Jr saw some light at the end of the tunnel but it was Brian Vickers who took the checkered flag in the Carfax 400 at Michigan Sunday.
Vickers gave Toyota their first win at the Brooklyn, Michigan track that has long been dominated by Ford and Chevy. The track is in the backyard of the Big 3 US Automakers.
Vickers got the win by stretching his gas mileage and drafting Jimmie Johnson in the races closing laps. I think even Vickers was surprised he could make it on fuel.
“Coming to two to go I’m still sweating bullets, said Vickers. “When Jimmie ran out I knew at that point we had enough lead on Jeff that all I had to do was get to the finish. But it was definitely a sickening feeling in the bottom of my stomach we could run out at any minute. I felt confident about how much I saved, but it’s hard not to worry about it.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr and his fans finally had a reason to celebrate today after Junior led some laps and took the No. 88 Chevy home third.
“Well, I don’t want to get too excited,” said Dale Jr. “You want to be up front every week like this. You want to be there the whole race. You don’t want to just come up there through the last 50 laps and surprise everybody.”
“We’re working really hard,” said Earnhardt. “Never worked so hard to run third. I’ve won races working a whole lot easier than this.”
Earnhardt rebounded after pitting early with a vibration. “We had gotten really loose, said Earnhardt. I flipped off the right front blower. I got this real bad vibration after about 30 laps.”
Mark Martin was one of the big losers today; finishing 31st. Martin was the next to the last car on the lead lap and dropped to 12th in the points standings. Martin is in danger of falling out of Chase contention.
Jeff Gordon rallied from a hard crash last week at Watkins Glen to finish 2nd. Gordon continued to deny that his back was bothering him – even though he appeared pretty stiff during the pre-race ceremonies. “My back is fine, said Gordon from the media center after the race. “ I would rather be third in points right now and had that win today. That’s all that really matters at this point for us. We’re having a great year. We’re showing that we’re strong, a great team.”
Fuel strategy bit Jimmie Johnson when he ran out of gas while leading in the race’s closing laps. Brian Vickers took over the top spot and held it to the finish.
So what’s your take on the race? I know you’ve got an opinion – let’s hear it.
Kyle Busch Argues With Brian Vickers
When NASCAR drivers want to discuss things after a race why can’t we just let them talk?
Everyone complains when Kyle Busch runs off following a race refusing to say a word to anybody – yet when Busch wants to have a few words with Brian Vickers afterthe Carfax 250 at Michigan NASCAR Officials – and even Busch’s own team members — want to stand in the way.
NASCAR has said they want drivers to show more personality – yet when they try to there is someone there to stand in the way.
Keselowski Did The Right Thing
Brad Keselowski did exactly what a race car driver is supposed to do on the last lap of Saturday’s CARFAX 250 at Michigan. He ran down the leaders from third place and passed both of them for the win.
“He didn’t deserve to win,” said Kyle Busch of Keselowski.
Does that mean Busch deserved to win even though Keselowski beat him to the finish line?
After Busch and Vickers were separated Kyle had a few strong comments directed toward Vickers.
“Brian Vickers was trying to slow both of us down – just stupid, said Kyle Busch. “ You race with idiots, and I guess you’ll have that sometimes.”
“I’m sure I’m complaining, and I’m whining and I’m a crybaby,” Busch continued.
To his credit, Brian Vickers wasn’t going to go away quietly.
“I am so sorry, I forgot it was the Kyle Busch show,” said Vickers with a sly grin. “I thought we were racing for a win.”
“I thought it was my job to hold him off. Apparently not. He started crying like a little baby, Vickers said of Busch.
“I asked him to just give me a minute to get out and we could talk about it like men. If he wanted to fight that’s fine with me. As soon as I got out he ran off.”
“The last I checked it wasn’t the Kyle Busch show – it’s the Nationwide race and I’m supposed to race him for the win.”
So if Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch want to talk things over after the race why can’t we just let them talk?
