Or you could call this Anatomy of a Pass - or in this case, Anatomy of a Wreck.
Anyway, here is what Kyle Busch had to say at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway test when asked if there is a proper etiquette for drivers when they’re racing for the lead (in reference to, of course, The Richmond Incident, which is beginning to sound like a good Robert Ludlum - God Rest His Soul - novel):
“There’s a lot that goes into passing somebody in general, but especially when it’s the last restart or probably the last restart,” Busch replied. “You’ve just taken the green flag, so you’re trying to get used to what your car is doing on the restart for one; you’re tyring to get used to warming the brakes back up for two; and warming the tires back up for three. You’re learning how to judge yourself going into the corners and everything.
“There is a lot that goes into that. ... Dale Jr. and I were both driving extremely hard and we both were getting into the corner probably deeper than we had been all day - and that’s because our brakes were cool, our tires were cool and everything like that.
“The first couple laps after the restart, Junior barreled off into the corner really far and he kind of shoved up the race track. He was probably overdriving just as much as I was, if we both were at all anyway. The capabilities of the car is what you’ve got at that given point and you have to learn what those are and you’ve got to take it to that extreme. Both of us were doing that and there’s really no etiquette for racing each other. You try to give as much room as you possibly can and you’re also trying to take up the room that your car needs in order to make it go through the corner the fastest.”
Busch added that the two drivers obviously had different strategies that they were employing as each tried to move into position to win the race.
“For me, I felt like I was getting into the corners too low and then shoving up into the center and not getting a good enough drive off,” Busch said. “When you arc it into the corner a little bit more, then you can get it through the center better and then get a straighter drive up off. I think Junior was trying to diamond the corner or whatever; he was doing a little bit more or whatever. End result was we made contact and hopefully the past is the past now and we can move on.”
Amen to that, brother, but this could be the start of a beautiful rivalry, which is something the Sprint Cup Series could use. With both guys running up front much of this season, it isn’t likely to be the last time they’re running near each other with the lead - or at least a top position - hanging in the balance late in a race.
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release-2.0.4/450 Mon Jul 7 05:29:37 UTC 2008
10 Comments
11sAngels
May 12 2008 10:04
Busch, Jr, and the part played by Hamlin.
It’s always easy to blame everyone else when the favorite driver doesnt win. We can blame Hamlin – but he was on his radio with Ford and all they talked about was if he could mae it 15 more laps and not go a lap down. He tried – but obviously it was the wrong decision. No communications on the radio was about Busch, none was about causing the caution, it was all about ending the race respectively when it should have been a win. We put too much effort into blaming someone and not taking the time to look at what happened. Did Hamlin draw the caution – yes – but it was not for Busch – he was trying to help himself. THere was no consipiracy against Jr. Its Racing Guys – and thats was we want to see. Hamlin was the dominate driver and should have won. The tire going down was as bad for him and both Jr and Kyle getting into each other because of hard racing – no other reason.
Jr Fans need to see it for what is was and not for what they THINK it was – Gordon said it: Thats what the fans come to see – thats what we get paid for – Its racing, Its Richmond, but yest – its dissapointing.
7Gordon7Fan
May 11 2008 01:46
Throw toilet paper!
Sometimes passion gets in the way of reality. If Jr Nation wants to start a rivalry with Kyle Bush, they will be sadly disapointed. Love him or most hate him, Kyle is a stone cold winner and is in NASCAR to stay.
Jr. fans just need to get over it and move on. Jr. will win sometime?
And for the Jr. fans who throw full beers and full waters, STOP!! You are going to hurt someone badly. Its a STUPID act. Even Jr. told you to throw toilet paper!!!
GrannyD1951
May 10 2008 16:02
Kyle would not have made it out of Richmond
I would have died if Kyle had won that race. If he had won, he would not have made it out of Richmond it’s just that simple. Jr fans are die hard fans and what Jr can’t do they will. I’m not saying I would do that, just saying that jr fans are passionate about their driver.
Jjfanalex
May 10 2008 11:41
I'll keep it simple....
I would love to see a Jr. and schrub rivalry start…what a great thing that would be!and when Jr. gets out of the car and beats the crap out of him for all the NASCAR fans to see i would tivo it and watch it over an over again.We NEED something like that now and in the future.oh one can only dream….
2dIs1stLoser
May 09 2008 12:35
FANS ARE UNREASONABLE
Who wants to watch a race that no one makes an effort to win? What excitement is there in a 3 second lead? How much fun would it be if drivers just accepted second place because they didn’t want to take a chance? We have enough drivers looking for good point runs. We need guys that race balls to the wall. If drivers aren’t allowed to touch each other, we might as well watch open wheelers. We have a unique sport in stock car racing. To bash Kyle Busch for a racing incident created by two guys that went for the win, is like bashing the tradition of this sport. You might as well delete every great driver from your memory, including Dale Sr. If I wanted ” respect for the leader ” I’d watch airplanes race. Kyle Busch should be commended for giving us a great effort, and as a result, a great race.
CryNclHd
May 08 2008 00:56
Cheatin' not racin'
Several things happened to prevent Jr. from grabbing that win, and yes, it should have been Jr.s, but I’m glad Bowyer won it and not Busch. 1) Hamlin stayed out instead of getting tires when he KNEW we was going to need them 2) Hamlin parked it on the track instead of going onto the apron and possibly avoiding a caution. Both 1 & 2 are % on behalf of Gibbs racing that they let that happen. OBVIOUSLY Hamlin did it or was told to do so to help out his team mate. 3) Busch KNEW that w/o the caution Jr. had it in the bag, he knew he didn't earn it, his team-mate cheated for him. 4) Busch should have backed off if he did not have his car under control (which he didn't). He's going to screw up one day and get s/o killed. I don't care how often you win, you will never amount up to Sr. or Jr. simply because of your % attitude. You always have something negative to say about Jr…BECAUSE YOU ARE JEALOUS! You had your chance with Hendrick and you blew it, damn Jr. had to finish a race in your damn car last year. You are a discrase to all that is NASCAR. All you Busch fans really should be ashamed….
NLOFX
May 07 2008 11:32
It is not about a single event...
Don’t lose focus here. It is not just about last Saturday night. Kyle has been a reckless drive from the start. He shows little respect for the sport or the other drivers. He someone does not tighten the ropes on him; he is going to hurt someone. I don’t mind the rubbing and bumping, that’s racing. But his careless should not be allowed.
In almost every race, the commentators have made remarks about his almost out of control driving. JGR should drop him and NASCAR should band him from the sport. It is a matter of safety to the other drivers.
Pugnut
May 06 2008 18:13
Anyone
that loves Robert Ludlum is OK in my book.
And nascar365, the interview was Monday, May 5th, when Kyle said he left a message on Dale’s phone. Kyle said, ”...maybe even tonight. It’s Cinco De Mayo, might even go party it up a little bit tonight.”
nascar365
May 06 2008 16:00
JOE
COME ON!
Kyle also said he left a message on Junior’s his cell-phone.
But Junior had not returned his call.
KarinB
May 06 2008 15:37
And this is Tuesday
and I bet Kyle and Junior already had their conversation and are cool with each other. We here in the Community need to do the same.
Darlington is just around the corner and I am so excited already!!
BTW, Robert Ludlum – one of my favorite authors. Love all of his work!!