August 28, 2009
By Rebecca Gladden
Do you remember what you were you doing at age 16?
If you're like most people, you were probably attending high school, hanging out with friends, maybe playing afterschool sports or holding down a part-time job.
At age 16, Kyle Busch was competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, earning a top-10 finish in his very first start.
Shortly after that race, NASCAR implemented a new rule banning anyone under the age of 18 from competing in the sport's top three racing series. Busch had to race elsewhere, but returned to NASCAR when he turned 18.
Sometimes it's hard to realize just what a prodigy Kyle Busch, now age 24, really is.
In a few short seasons, Busch has become a fixture in all three of NASCAR's elite racing series and is considered one of the top drivers to beat week in and week out. Just 18 when he began Cup racing part-time in 2004, he's already won 16 races in that series, with a combined win total in the top three NASCAR series of 55 and counting. Along the way, he's racked up a long list of related accomplishments and youngest-ever records.
But the road to racing stardom has been a rough one, particularly regarding Busch's rocky relationship with the fans.
When Busch entered NASCAR, he had one big strike against him already. As the younger brother of 2004 Cup champion Kurt Busch, many fans took an instant dislike to Kyle, painting him with the same broad brush as his older brother who had a reputation for egotism and condescension.
It was a rude awakening for the talented younger Busch, who found himself reviled during driver introductions in his very first Cup race, before fans knew anything more about him than his last name.
Soon abandoning any hope of being popular or well-liked except by his small core fan base, Busch decided to stop bucking the tide and go with the flow. He fell into the role of villain, displaying the same obnoxious character traits as big brother Kurt (who has since, for the most part, mended his ways).
Whether Kyle was simply role playing a part he'd been cast in, was revealing his true underlining nature, or a combination of both, is a matter of speculation for everyone except those closest to him. But his arrogance and petulance quickly earned him the title of NASCAR's most hated driver.
Even when he tried to do something to garner favor with NASCAR fans, Busch's efforts backfired. After winning the Nashville Nationwide race a few months ago, he accepted a hand-painted Gibson guitar in Victory Lane, raised it overhead, and smashed it repeatedly on the ground. Fans were infuriated, while a hapless Busch explained that he had hoped to give a piece of the trophy to every member of his team.
Now, suddenly, a new Kyle Busch has emerged the past few weeks, surprising fans and the media alike with a more amicable and patient approach. He has started answering questions courteously after races and has restrained himself from throwing all who cross him under the nearest bus.
But the question remains, who is the real Kyle Busch? Is it the eager young phenom who came to NASCAR at age 16 in the shadow of a brash older brother? Is it the vile Kyle who taunted fans with his talent and exasperated the media with his ego? Or is it Busch Version 2.0, now epitomizing the phrase made famous by another famous 'Bush,' as he transforms into a "kinder, gentler" racecar driver?
To some extent, I suspect all of these - and none of these - is the real Kyle Busch.
And in the dizzying spectacle that is the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, I predict it will be years before the real Kyle Busch stands up.
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