NASCAR BLOG

Kyle Busch’s post-race expletive-ridden comments about team mate Denny Hamlin this past weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway was just another example of how NASCAR teams aren’t always the best of friends. Denny Hamlin refused to allow Busch (his brother Kurt eventually won the race) to pass him during the All Star Race on Saturday, which caused Busch to slam his Toyota M&M Pretzel car into the wall. Busch apparently went looking for Hamlin at his trailer after the race. Giants of the sport, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, have also been after each other recently. NASCAR.com did an excellent piece, featuring writers Bill Kimm and Mark Spoor, asking the question if teammates should race differently against one another. I see the point that the drivers are paid by team owners and therefore are expected to do what is best for the team, but no one can deny that people love NASCAR for the drivers. NASCAR drivers got to where they are, because of their inane desire to finish in first. If there’s too much of team mentality on the racetrack it’ll take away from the sure competitiveness of the sport. Besides, all this team-on-team controversy is endlessly entertaining. I hope there’s more to come.

Kyle Busch is a busy man. This weekend in Nashville he won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Friday night and the next day he finished third in the Nationwide Series in the Music City. The Truck Series victory was Busch’s first win driving as the owner of his own truck. The 24-year-old driver is famous for his bad behavior, but his success this weekend went without any controversy. Last year at Nashville, Busch caused a stir over his smashing of the custom Gibson guitar he received for winning the Auto Parts 300 moments after receiving it. The artist who made the guitar was upset and Busch didn’t come out looking to good. However, on Friday there was no guitar smashing or verbal tirades, but just Busch accepting his victory uncharacteristically with grace.

As the Craftsman Truck Series race at Kentucky Speedway arrives this Saturday, Kyle Busch will try to become the first driver to win consecutive races in each of NASCAR’s three national series. This is after winning the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Chicagoland Speedway last weekend. He started the season with a second at Daytona, followed by wins in Fontana, Calif., and Atlanta. There will be a lot of hope from him for this event. Fans have already bought ticket for all of Busch’s races.