In only his 4th full season racing in the Sprint cup series. Isn’t it a little to early to try to compare Kyle to a legend? After all legends are not born overnight. Or do they reach that upper echelon of racing greatness in just a few short seasons. It takes years to even think about what a lot of racers hope to reach one day. Many try and many fail. It is a plateau that only a few drivers will ever reach. Not taking anything away from Kyle’s rough style of driving. But to actually think that he could even be mentioned in the same breath as a legend. Is a little to premature especially to a driver who had one of the most stellar careers in Nascar history. A lot of the drivers have said that Dale had one of the widest cars out on the track. They also said that the last person they ever wanted to see in their rearview mirror was Dale. Does Kyle actually have these traits?
How do you compare 676 starts, 7 cup championships, 76 race wins, and 22 years of putting his time in week after week? To a driver who has barely 125 starts, 0 cup championships, 7 race wins in only his 4th season? With these stats it seems that it is a little or should I say way to premature to even think about putting him a class that not even some of the greats have been able to reach. Comparisons are usually done over more then just a few years. How many times have we seen a young driver come into the series who everyone thinks he has what it takes to be the next Roberts, Johnson, Earnhardt, or even Petty just to see something tragic happen to their career?
Remember that nothing in Nascar is guaranteed. The racing gods have shown us time after time who is actually in charge. How many drivers have been on there way to Nascar superstardom to only have something tragic happen that cut their racing careers short by either tragedy or just bad racing luck? Davey Allison had his whole racing career ahead of him. A career that many in the racing world knew was just about ready to take Nascar by the horns and elevate it to another level. But on that fateful day in July. In the twinkling of an eye. Davey was gone and so were all of the high hopes and aspirations of all of his fans who followed his short but fruitful career.
Tim Richmond was another driver who was on his way to Nascar superstardom. Maybe even legend status. He also had his life cut short due to death. A different kind of death then that of Davey. But still death while he was on his way up the ladder. We can always look at the racing career of Dale Earnhardt Jr. You talk about a driver who a lot said was like his daddy. Sure he is still early in his career. But 17 race wins, 0 championships and a 72 race winless streak later. Especially for a driver who won back to back Busch series championships. Not picking on Jr. But Jr. never really displayed the aggressive style that his dad had either. And at one time he was tabbed as the one who might have had the most legitimate chance to follow in The Intimidators footsteps. Footsteps that are and will be hard to follow in.
Tony Stewart was even at one time thought to be the one who could go after what Dale left behind when he left the racing world in 2001. Until Tony learns how to win early in the season. He also will fall short. What Tony does have going for him is 2 cup championships. And he also has that aggresive style of driving. But do the other drivers actually fear Tony when they see him in their rearview mirrors? A Nascar legend as we have seen throughout the years are groomed into that status. They are set apart. They are different. The racing world knew that Earnhardt was different when he came out and won the rookie of the year. Then the next year followed it with his first cup championship with and old school style of driving. Not all of our past legends have done it this way. But there was always something different about them. And it didn’t happen over night. It took many years.
Each and every driver has a special quality about them. Dale has set a bar that most if not all drivers are trying to reach. Jeff Gordon is about as close to that bar as far as our modern day drivers are concerned. He has proven himself with his 520 race starts, 4 cup championships and his 81 race wins in his 16th race season. But even Jeff has cooled off ever since Ray Evernham left as his crew chief. What happened with Jeff just shows how one shakeup to your team can take you from the top of the racing ladder to the middle of the pack. I’m sure while Ray and Jeff were winning races and championships that no one ever expected them to part ways.
Kyle is still a work in progress. Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. For now Kyle just needs to be Kyle without the distractions of trying to compare him to one of our greats. If that’s the case. How does Kyle act once he unstraps himself from his race car? Doesn’t he remind you of Rusty Wallace or Darrell Waltrip with his arrogance at such a young age? So now do we start to compare him to 3 or 4 drivers? It’s going to take many years of b a n g ing and b u m p ing his way around the Nascar circuit. Many years of hard work to reach that plateau. To reach that bar. And the road that he is traveling is a long and bumpy one that needs to be traveled one mile at a time. He is on a road of uncertainties as well as a road with no guarantees. Maybe he needs about 10 to 15 years and a few championships before the comparisons can start. It may seem like a long time. But ask those who have tried and failed. I’m Out
I don't know 3, there have been a lot of articles of a variation on this subject. What many of the Sr. supporters, like yourself, state is a case that Earnhardt should be judged on the accomplishments of his career in it's entirety.
The other side is contending that after 4 years there are parallels between Sr. and Kyle.
Then there is the camp that is latching onto this fever to hype their own agendas (re: national media).
Bottom line is Sr. is in a class of about 5 NASCAR drivers all-time that can be argued on whose accomplishments are more impressive. Busch is just an impressive young driver. And we need to move on from this subject. The only similarity between the two is that their driving styles at this point in each career have spurred a reputation amongst the fans.
Moseby-Very true. I almost didnt want to touch this subject. I was between a rock and a hard place. LOL Someone had to write something.
As far as driving styles. You are right. But how long will it last? With the road that Nascar is on right now. It all could change. The biggest hype now is the media. They need a story line to sell their product. And I am sure that Mr. France and all of Nascar's top brass are eating it up right now.
But with change. There is also no guarantee. Thanks
Good points, there are quite a few drivers that the young Kyle could be compared to. You could say a younger Tony, or Rusty or Darrell or Jeff any one who started out a little cocky. Of course that only plays out if you are winning.
I don't think anyone (except maybe some media talking heads) is saying Kyle is the same or as great as Dale Sr. He compares with a lot of the other drivers when they were young and for a better word - brash. Sure there some comparisons to Dale Sr's driving style early on and only time will tell. Right now he acts a little intimidating, but that can change when someone retaliates and puts him into the wall hard. A couple good hits seems to take something out of some drivers. We will have to see what happens when he starts to mature and see if he keeps that fire in his belly. But the hype is working for NASCAR and the media. Doesn't matter if you are cheering or booing as long as you are tuning in and buying tickets it is win for them.
Elad- Jr once said that Kyle drives alot like his dad. But I am from the school of everyone has their own opinion. I don't look to Jr's or anyone else's opinion. But like you said. Sometimes maturity can be your worse enemy or your best friend. Kyle could mature into a more respectful driver like Mark Martin. Or Kyle could just be Kyle which I am sure he wants to be. Every driver is out there trying to make a name for themselves. A lot of them dont like to be compared to other drivers. But instead want to have their own style. The media is really running with this one. Thanks
I've become enthralled with Kyle Busch, and I've advocated that his driving has brought comparisons to Dale Sr., but there is no way I'm saying he is in the same class as the Intimadator, at least not yet. We'll wait and see what his career numbers look like by the time he reaches 50 years of age. Then if the shoe fits...
Don't know if you saw my post a few days ago on young Busch... You might like it, it's entitled 'Kyle Busch Finds Victory Lane… Again' pay close attention to the last paragraph...
3fan- I see you got out from your tough spot! LOL
Your blog is clear, Kyle has to get some more seat time before we can judge him against the greats of our sport. I hope he stays true to himself b/c we dont need another Sr, DW, or RW, we need a firecracker called Kyle. Time will tell!
PS. Your lucky you didnt pick too much on Junebug! LOL
Frevr as always great poitns. I would only say the style from dales early years and Kyle are simmilur. I dont think the person or the history can even think about being compared.
Kyle is what nascar needs. Another badboy. We need someone to shake things up a bit. Nascar put the cuffs on Harvick and Smoke. They need a true Badboy.
Will he win a chapionship, or 2? Maybe. Yet nobody will ever be the Intimdator like Dale was. I was a hating fan. But always respected and impressed with his driving. Always worried when he was next to my guy. Enjoyed watching, and meeting in the early 80s at rockford speedway in rockford illinois.
So Frevr it a comparision, yet us at fans know it takes more to be like the Intimidator. Great post as always my friend..
Dwindy- I'll go back and read it. As far as Kyle. he is exciting to watch. But then so are most of the up and comers. They are all brash and try to make a name for themselves early in thier careers. But its the long haul that will either make them or break them.
Kristen-Thanks for your support last night. Yup I did get it done. You are truly a good friend. Thanks again. :) I tried not to go to far with Jr only because of his strong fan base. LOL. Why can't Kyle just be Kyle?
Noahspop- I agree with you on Kevin and Smoke. But in all reality. Those 2 were pushing the limits every week. Kyle can be the badboy. But let it be Kyle the badboy all by himself. Not Kyle being compared to Dale badboy. Do you know what I mean?
You know this is a great subject and I can see comparing raceing styles but thats about it in my oppinion Sr.did it with equipment that dosnt compare to todays and worked his way up the hard way he wasnt handed every thing on a silver platter you can look at stats but Kyles got a long ways to go he may get there and he has the fierce determination thats for sure..But as 3fan said Legends arn't made overnight..
Joker- You nailed it with the comment about equiptment. Comparing to what Dale drove with and Kyle is like day and night. Put Kyle in a Ganassi car and see if he still has the same results.
Photo-Yup only time will tell. he still has a long way to go.
I am a hard core Nascar fan from Cali . I also love football, baseball, golf and basketball. I try to attend as many races a year as I can. Ive been to Kansas,Infine on,Phoenix,Ve gas,Californi a just to name a few. Ive been a fan going on about 20+ years. There is nothing like short track racing at Irwindale on saturday nights. Also love to watch and attend drag races. Of course John Force is my favorite driver. Im also a fan of Tony Schumacher. Maybe someday to be able to write about Nascar.
