“You Owe It to Those People”: Kyle Busch Blasts NASCAR’s Ignorance of Its Fans, Sides With Denny Hamlin’s Demands
Kyle Busch is currently undergoing one of the most challenging phases of his Cup Series career. To go 45 races without a win isn’t something Rowdy is acquainted with. However, it doesn’t stop him from being a passionate fan of the sport. In fact, the Richard Childress Racing driver hammered NASCAR for not being considerate of its fanbase. Not only that, but he spoke on lines similar to what Denny Hamlin had to say earlier this week.
Both Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch have been known to be their unfiltered self more often than not. While Hamlin has criticized NASCAR time and again, Busch jumped on the bandwagon before the race at Daytona on the weekend. Luckily for the fans, they are bound to go in awe of what Rowdy had to say.
Kyle Busch slams NASCAR for being less empathetic towards its community
Over the years, the disconnect between the fans and NASCAR has only increased. While there are several reasons behind it, one remains how the governing body plans its race schedule. It is no secret how rain has been a major mood-spoiler in the 2024 campaign, disrupting the race flow multiple times. More importantly, it’s NASCAR’s decision-making that has been more questionable.
Earlier this season, fans were left displeased after the Coca-Cola 600 was called off with 151 laps remaining. While many believed NASCAR could have waited longer for the tracks to dry, its decision left plenty fuming. After all, the fans spend a good chunk of money and time to watch a race. As per TicketSmarter.com, the average price for a ticket to a single race in the 2024 season is $174.33.
Unsurprisingly, it is no small amount. While fans invest their hard-earned money, it is a bummer if they are not able to have the best possible racing experience. Luckily, Kyle Busch understands it better than anyone. While he might not be in his best form, he certainly has got his empathy for the fans spot on.
Aug 31, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Kyle Busch answers questions from the media at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Recently, speaking to Associated Press writer Mark Long, Busch opened up about his current form. While he spoke on other matters, his perspective about earlier starts was an interesting one. The veteran Cup Series driver suggested starting summer races earlier. His thought process behind the idea was to build in more time for rain delays, especially at a track like Michigan International Speedway, a track without lights.
Kyle Busch said, “When you’re in the middle of summer and you’re at these places with no lights, you got to start earlier and try to get what you can get in for the fans that are there. (They) give up their time and their money and their weekends to make it there, to make your show look better on TV with butts in the seats.”
Got a couple laps between rain showers. Start 13th tomorrow.@RCRracing x @Lucas_Oil pic.twitter.com/8YNFXCcDiZ
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) August 17, 2024
While Busch did not have any filter there, he certainly didn’t with what he said to NASCAR next. Rowdy rightly said, “You owe it to these people“. It is true that it is the fans that make NASCAR the wonderful sport it is. However, the ruling body hasn’t been as considerate. While Kyle Busch expressed his views, he spoke about what Denny Hamlin was trying to indicate earlier this week.
When asked about starting races earlier and accepting less money in favor of the fans, Hamlin gave a cryptic answer. He said, “Well, this is where the interests of the teams and NASCAR do not align.” While the 23XI Racing owner indirectly hinted at NASCAR more focusing on the revenue, Kyle Busch was very direct with his words.
Surprisingly, Busch isn’t the only one with this criticism of NASCAR.
NASCAR community resonates with Kyle Busch’s plea for early race starts following Michigan delay
NASCAR’s latest Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway was marred by rain and cautions. While caution remains part of the sport, avoiding the rain delays could be feasible. No NASCAR track this century has had more races (5) shortened by bad weather than the one in Michigan. Even the one last Sunday was postponed to Monday hampering the fans’ plans and schedule.
While Kyle Busch rallied for early race starts, even his Cup Series colleague Kyle Larson spoke on similar lines. After finishing P14 at Stage 1 on Sunday in Michigan, Larson wrote on Twitter, “I miss the 1pm start times from my rookie season…,” Even veteran journalist Jeff Gluck voiced a similar opinion. He said, “I understand TV is king. Really, I do. But at what point does this just seem insane? Move the start times up at tracks with no lights. Especially with the threat of rain. Please. People have work and school tomorrow and they could have seen an official race today.”
@NASCAR … you always say you put the fans 1st…but every time you don’t move a race, it’s obvious TV $ is king & we are peasants. @jeff_gluck – great post! https://t.co/mQbkdyVLsa
— T Jay (@ThadiusJ) August 19, 2024
Even former Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr joined in the act. He tweeted, “Mid afternoon start times. Short term gain. Long term detriment”. This comes after he alerted NASCAR about this issue a month back. On his podcast “Dale Jr Download”, Junior spoke about how NASCAR should inspire its schedule from the success the NFL has had.
He said, “I’ve always been for 1:00 starts right after the lunch getting the race going. I feel like people are just coming off of if they’re going to church or just a family lunch or whatever it may be, right after the lunch, BAM! Get the race started. There’s reasons why the networks run it at 3:00 and 3:30, and there’s good reasons why they do it that way. For me, I prefer the 1:00 starts.”
Clearly, the best in the business are in favor of early starts. It is about time NASCAR gave it a strong consideration not only for the fans but for the betterment of the sport.
The post “You Owe It to Those People”: Kyle Busch Blasts NASCAR’s Ignorance of Its Fans, Sides With Denny Hamlin’s Demands appeared first on EssentiallySports.
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