July 11, 2009
By Brenda Benedict
There were fireworks across the nation last July 4. But there were fireworks at Daytona International Speedway, both on and off the track that night.
The finish to last Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 had all spectators on the edge of our seats. But it is what happened after the race that I am concerned about. In the final lap, it was Kyle Busch in first, closely followed by Tony Stewart. But Stewart crossed the finish line first on Kyle Busch was pushed across finishing 14th.
What happened in those few quick seconds seemed to me to just be good racing. We’ve seen that happen many times in NASCAR’s history. Even Stewart referred to similar wrecks of the past in a press conference on Wednesday.
"A good friend of mine reminded me of the very first TV race, the very first 500 that they showed on national TV, and it was Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough, same type of incident on the backstretch for the win," Stewart said. "What happened this weekend, what happened at Talladega, none of this is new.”
But it is the reaction of the two drivers that is my concern this week. Both Stewart and Kyle Busch have been known as bad boys. Both express their feelings openly without worrying about who they might be offending. They don’t mind saying what they think.
But after Saturday’s finish, they showed opposite reactions. Stewart was apologetic about hitting and spinning Busch. Busch refused to comment to the press.
Stewart has continued his tone this week as he sought to speak with Busch. "It was good to have that conversation with Kyle," he said. "I was glad he wasn't hurt. And I got a chance to see Kasey and make sure he wasn't hurt, as well. It was good to touch base and make sure we were all on the same page, which we were."
Stewart’s attitude is going to win him lots of points with the fans. This is the side of Stewart we have not seen in the past. But the new role as team owner seems to have helped Stewart acquire a new outlook- a more mature way of viewing the events that take place on the track.
Busch, on the other hand, has not spoken to the press yet. I’ve heard many reports in the media defending him. They state that it was better for him to refuse to speak with the press than to say something that he will regret afterwards.
But all I wanted to hear was a 30 – 60 second interview where Busch might have told how disappointed he was and let us know that he was not hurt in the spectacular wreck.
I won’t let him off so easy. Kyle Busch is a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver at the highest level of the sport. He is earning the big bucks and along with those benefits come some responsibilities.
How many of us have jobs where we are required to do things when we don’t feel like it?
I have to admit, I’ve been harboring a grudge against Kyle Busch for the last few months. It has nothing to do with his aggressive driving. I enjoy seeing drivers try their best to win even if he does cross the line at times. His ‘in your face’ attitude doesn’t always sit well with the fans but I tolerate it to get to see him drive and see the excitement he brings to a race.
What has bothered me is how Busch talks to his team when he wants to them to step up to the plate and get tough. “Come on ladies” -- “You’ve got to man-up”. Now these phrases that he has used might not offend you but as a woman who has made my own way in the world, I dislike the use of the English language that equates poor performance or lack of toughness with being a woman. It’s the kind of talk I was used to hearing when I taught middle school. The boys referred to ‘crying like a girl’ to someone who didn't have strength and that was a bad thing. I don’t think so.
I think it is time for Kyle Busch to ‘woman-up’. Get out there and do your job even if you are angry and upset. Learn that your feelings, whether they are anger or disappointment, should come second to your responsibilities to your fans. After all, it’s the fans that are supporting you and keeping the sport going.
You can follow me at Twitter @nascarfaithful
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.
