I will start this post by saying I have never met Kurt Busch so I can only go by what I have seen and heard from others and from personal observation.
Kurt Busch was suspended by NASCAR for "abuse of the media". While it was only verbal abuse, he has been warned repeatedly for such actions and is a repeat offender.
The question asked to Busch was more about his probation from NASCAR than the on-track action or what the discussion between Busch and Justin Allgaier was about. Who really cares what they were talking about? It was obvious to most fans that they were talking about an on track incident. It wasn't heated, it didn't appear to be anything other than two drivers talking. Could it have gone to blows - absolutely!
The media isn't completely innocent here. I realize that the reporter is just trying to create a story. However Busch completely handed the situation incorrectly. He could have simply said "I'm not going to discuss that" and moved on.
I've been an advocate of giving drivers a few minutes after a race or incident to cool off. Once a driver has had a chance to watch a replay or be alone with their thoughts their mood may change. Personally if I was involved in an accident or had a mechanical issue the last thing I would want to see is a reporter trying to interview me. I doubt that will ever happen. But NASCAR is a unique sport where you can talk to drivers during a race, some competitors are not in the race/game while it's still going on, etc. NASCAR doesn't have a policy like other sports where players can't talk to the media during the game. How would that change if drivers could not be interviewed during a race? What about crew chiefs?
Back to Busch - it's unfortunate that he was suspended. I believe he has talent - you have to have some to make it to that level. The problem is he can't seem to put his attitude and his pride away. He has essentially been fired by two elite race teams in the last 7 years. There are plenty of drivers that can only dream of having the same opportunities that Busch has had. Yet he continues to squander them away.
I've also heard he verbally abuses his pit crew. I've actually witnessed that first hand - in 2006 at Richmond Busch got a speeding penalty on pit road and had to do a pass through. On the subsequent pass through he got another speeding penalty. When his crew chief tried to explain the ruling, Busch went crazy and chewed out his pit crew. I doubt if I had been his crew chief I would've stayed on board with him for long. You can only take so much abuse before you finally snap.
Now Busch may be out of a ride again - and this time I'm not sure he'll be welcomed with open arms to another team. We may be talking soon about the 2004 Champion that couldn't find a ride since he couldn't keep his ego and attitude in check.
Kurt Busch was suspended by NASCAR for "abuse of the media". While it was only verbal abuse, he has been warned repeatedly for such actions and is a repeat offender.
The question asked to Busch was more about his probation from NASCAR than the on-track action or what the discussion between Busch and Justin Allgaier was about. Who really cares what they were talking about? It was obvious to most fans that they were talking about an on track incident. It wasn't heated, it didn't appear to be anything other than two drivers talking. Could it have gone to blows - absolutely!
The media isn't completely innocent here. I realize that the reporter is just trying to create a story. However Busch completely handed the situation incorrectly. He could have simply said "I'm not going to discuss that" and moved on.
I've been an advocate of giving drivers a few minutes after a race or incident to cool off. Once a driver has had a chance to watch a replay or be alone with their thoughts their mood may change. Personally if I was involved in an accident or had a mechanical issue the last thing I would want to see is a reporter trying to interview me. I doubt that will ever happen. But NASCAR is a unique sport where you can talk to drivers during a race, some competitors are not in the race/game while it's still going on, etc. NASCAR doesn't have a policy like other sports where players can't talk to the media during the game. How would that change if drivers could not be interviewed during a race? What about crew chiefs?
Back to Busch - it's unfortunate that he was suspended. I believe he has talent - you have to have some to make it to that level. The problem is he can't seem to put his attitude and his pride away. He has essentially been fired by two elite race teams in the last 7 years. There are plenty of drivers that can only dream of having the same opportunities that Busch has had. Yet he continues to squander them away.
I've also heard he verbally abuses his pit crew. I've actually witnessed that first hand - in 2006 at Richmond Busch got a speeding penalty on pit road and had to do a pass through. On the subsequent pass through he got another speeding penalty. When his crew chief tried to explain the ruling, Busch went crazy and chewed out his pit crew. I doubt if I had been his crew chief I would've stayed on board with him for long. You can only take so much abuse before you finally snap.
Now Busch may be out of a ride again - and this time I'm not sure he'll be welcomed with open arms to another team. We may be talking soon about the 2004 Champion that couldn't find a ride since he couldn't keep his ego and attitude in check.
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