When drivers get into altercations with other drivers, it’s guaranteed that the “boxing gloves” come on for both the drivers and their fans, and with the latest altercation between Kyle Busch and Ron Hornaday, Jr. (this past Friday night during the NCWTS WinStar World 350k at Texas Motor Speedway) is no exception.
There has been a lot of “discussion” about comparing Kyle Busch’s actions to what others have done in the past. But, in this situation, what some people seem to fail to realize is that they are comparing apples to oranges .
People are trying to put the “bump-n-runs” gone bad, the “boys have at it ‘bump of displeasure'” under caution and what transpired between Busch and Hornaday, into the same barrel.
What Kyle did, IS NOT the same thing, as he took the “boys have at it ‘bump of displeasure'” to another level; a level that NASCAR has now deemed “crossing the line.”
Kyle got in his “bump of displeasure” under the caution, but he didn’t leave it at that and kept going. It was the actions of him to keep going until he wrecked Hornaday intentionally, and in such a manner, that if it wasn’t for the HANS and SAFER barriers, that Hornaday could of seen his last race, and that is the issue.
There wouldn’t be this issue if Kyle had just spun Hornaday out, but he kept banging, and banging, and banging until he focused his angle of impact to the right corner of Hornaday’s truck, that sent him head-on into the outside wall (hitting the left corner would of sent Hornaday into the opposite direction with a greater chance of recovery).
Now throw on-top that it was between two drivers, which for one was driving for a driver’s championship and a owner’s championship for the other; as well as, it was so early in the race, that it makes what happen even worse.
With all that being said, I would hope NASCAR will be consistent on the “line” that they have now “drawn in the sand,” and have deemed to be the line crossed. There is now an answer to the question of how far is too far with “boys have at it,” and there is a distinguishable boundary leading up to that “line.” And now, NASCAR should put it in writing as a specific rule (a safety rule violation at least) in the official NASCAR rule book (for all the series).
Speaking of rules, don’t be surprised that there are going to be more penalties coming (for Busch) as the one rule that always accompanies the other rule violations under the NASCAR rule book – Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) hasn’t been mentioned yet. You can probably count on it being mentioned after Monday’s meeting, and this rule is so broad that it can cover just about anything and it’s fines are unlimited.
As for Kyle, I side with Rusty Wallace’s position (which his statements from SPEED’S NASCAR RaceDay can be read here) of recognizing the talent he possess, but can’t condone the actions that he took Friday night (or some of the others that have happened this year). There was a lot of people that were hurt indirectly by his actions, as I could see that hurt and disappointment in both Coach Gibbs and Mike Helton’s faces. The damage spreads deep, but I speculate that he is going to get one more chance with everyone involved, and with possible fines and probation by his sponsors and Joe Gibbs Racing (not just NASCAR). So if that is the case….don’t blow it!
