Young Racers vs Kyle Busch
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Note:
My articles are based solely on my thoughts and observations. Normally I do not
offer statistics, although at times I may reference what different
broadcasters, among others, have said or alluded to.
Ever
since I heard and read what Kyle Busch had to say about the attention and
emphasis, along with opportunities, being given to the young drivers/racers
that are in the NASCAR Cup Series now, I have been pondering the validity of
it. I have also wondered why Kyle Busch seems to be unhappy about it.
To
most, this issue has been put away and is no longer being discussed by anyone
in the media. I have not noticed anything in any of the blogs either. However,
it came back to the forefront because of an article I just read. In that
article, written by Nate Ryan, dated March 20, 2018 he said: "Kyle Busch is right. The top three
finishers after every Cup race should make mandatory visits to the media
center."
Thank
you, Nate, but I would like to add voluntary visits as well.
Now
let me get this right. He wrote that Kyle Busch said the above and his article
was written after the Cup race in California at the Auto Club Speedway,
according to the date on it. Please correct me if I am wrong. Kyle Busch
finished third (3rd) in this race. Yet, from what I saw on television, he chose
not to be interviewed after the race. I have not heard or read whether he was
in the media center or not after the race. That is not always televised unless
someone does or says something that the media think is eye catching or worthy
of televising. If he was in the media
center, then please let me know.
A
few of our new group of young drivers in the Cup series include the following:
Kyle Larson, Erik Jones, Alex Bowman, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliot, Darrell
Wallace, and William Byron, to name the most popular ones.
From
what I have seen, each of these drivers has always been available for
interviews, regardless of where they finish in a race. I have also seen all of
them prior to the races as willing to talk with the media. There has been no
reporting that any of them declined an interview at any time. They are normally
pleasant during their interviews. I have heard several of them wishing they had
done better, but not in what I call a whiney fashion, except for one of them,
who shall remain nameless at this time.
There
is no doubt whatsoever that Kyle Busch is one of the best drivers in NASCAR at
this time. However, to most of us fans, especially we longtime fans, there is
more to being a good representative of the sport than just being a good driver.
Did he ever stop to think that perhaps attitude and availability are what gives
these younger drivers the opportunities they are receiving?
Fans
become fans for many reasons. Being the best driver and winning more races in
the most series is not the only determining factor. There is more to it than
just being a good wheel man. It is fun watching a good racer move through the
field and advance positions. But it is also fun to see and hear a good interview
by a driver with a good and positive attitude. In my opinion, this is something
serious that Kyle Busch needs to think about and act accordingly. The younger
drivers I mentioned before seem to get it, so they are garnering the attention
and opportunities due to that reason. They are the future of NASCAR.
Thank
you for reading and commenting here.
Your thoughts, ideas on the subject and opinions are very welcome. I
remind you to keep them clean and no bashing, please. You may also email
comments to me.