Kyle Busch's talked to the media Thursday. He said little. He talked as if reading from a news release. He talked without emotion. He repeated the same phrases. He's sorry. He'll learn from the experience. He'll move on. He invoked the military and the jobs his teams create.
If I were in PR, I would have made a splash Thursday. I would have asked Busch to announce the time and money he will donate, to a charity in Iredell County, where he was busted for driving 83 mph over the speed limit, or to an organization that encourages young people to drive wisely.
There's no way to assess the sincerity of an apology.
But if I were guessing -- and that's all I can do -- I'd guess that Busch was thinking about qualifying Thursday for Sunday's race. He and his employers undoubtedly will think about the ramifications of the speeding episode next week.
They have no choice.
I delivered a shirt to Kyle this morning that is a reflection of this weeks events. Find it at ithappens2you,com speeding ticket
Posted by: Allen Brawley | May 26, 2011 at 04:46 PM
I can't comment on any legal charges or penalties, but NASCAR should take this matter very seriously, and impose a stiff penalty. This isn't merely speeding -- he was essentially racing on public roads. As a NASCAR driver, he should be aware of the risks involved in driving a any vehicle at over 100 mph. NASCAR should have a high interest in showing the world that its drivers know the difference between competitive racing (which is done under controlled conditions to maintain reasonable levels of safety) and what happens on public streets. Even if Mr. Busch feels he has the ability to control a car at that speed, as drivers we all have a responsibility to practice safety in order to protect other people on the road. How are other people going to react when a car traveling 128 mph goes by them? Can Mr. Busch predict how other drivers will react?
I feel it would be quite reasonable -- in part to send a message to the entire NASCAR community -- that Mr. Busch be suspended for the remainder of the current season. I know that sounds harsh, but this is far more than a small mistake in judgement.
Posted by: Arnold Halperin | May 26, 2011 at 05:54 PM
This kid is a "PUNK"! He is a part of what is wrong with NASCAR. I was totally turned off to this immature brat when he destroyed his trophy at Nashville a few years ago. NASCAR should have fined him his entire purse, but did nothing. Obviously, he has not matured and is lucky no one was killed with his stupid speeding stunt. NASCAR needs to take a page from the NFL and deal with "off field" incidents harshly.
Frankly, when this "punk" is leading a race in any of the three series, I turn off the TV!
Posted by: SC ken | May 26, 2011 at 05:54 PM
So, Joe Mama, if everyone else does it, that makes it okay? Also, an interstate is far more ideal for speeding than a two-lane country road.
Posted by: GK | May 27, 2011 at 10:49 AM
So if I speed and get caught I should be fired from my job because I drive for a living? The two are seperate. If the sponser or Gibbs wants to invoke sanctions that is different, NASCAR has no responsibility in what the drivers do outside the track.
Posted by: Tim Peterson | May 27, 2011 at 01:37 PM
If it wasn't one of the
Busch brothers you wouldn't be writing about it.
Why don't you get a life other than bashing the Buschs every time they goof up.
Kyle will get more attention for getting a speeding ticket than "what's his name" got for a DUI.
Kurt's right. The media whines, screams and crys about the white washed drivers of NASCAR. About the time you get a few that are different, you try to destroy them.
Hypocrite is y'all's middle name.
Posted by: Robert | May 28, 2011 at 09:46 AM
I hope the judge throws the book at Kyle,if and when he appears in court! If anbody else would have been stopped for that he would have bee in jail in a heartbeat!That speed qualifies as a flagrant violation. I hope his sponsors drop him like a rock.And his boss severly punishes him
Posted by: Don Collins | May 29, 2011 at 06:38 PM