Saturday, November 05, 2011

Helton Defends Kyle Busch Suspension, Gibbs May Extend Ban

NASCAR President Mike Helton says Kyle Busch crossed a line in Friday night’s Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, prompting the sanctioning body to suspend him from this weekend’s Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series events.

Helton defended NASCAR’s decision to sanction Busch in this freewheeling, “Boys Have At It” era, saying, "The responsibility that… we've given back to the drivers came with a very clear understanding that there could be a line that got crossed. I've made (comments) in the past about, 'We'll know it when we see it.' We saw it last night. After the event, a lot of folks put their heads together to decide what -- if anything --we would do. What I'm telling you today is our reaction."

Helton defended the sanctioning body’s recent reluctance to get involved in on-track incidents, saying, “The rarity of times we make a step like this speaks to the uniqueness and severity of the topic. We understand the ramifications… in making this type of move, but we also take our responsibility very seriously to maintain control of the event. At the end of the day, we're the ones who have to make that decision."

Helton said the severity of the incident was a key factor in NASCAR’s decision to suspend Busch, and that Hornaday’s status as a Camping World Truck Series championship contender “probably had a small impact on the reaction.” Busch’s past history also played a role, with Helton saying, “the accumulation of incidents around the driver; I won't sit here and tell you it's not an influence. But it's not an overriding influence."

Some fans are confused by NASCAR’s decision to sanction Busch while allowing similar incidents to go unpunished in the past, and Helton said the sanctioning body continues to fine-tune its policies, procedures and penalties. "It's natural in our sport to watch the evolution of a policy or a procedure, learn from it and possibly react differently,” he said. ”In the incident with Carl Edwards and Keselowski in Atlanta (in 2010), there was a reaction from us. There (were) points and there was money involved. The18 and the 29 at Darlington got a reaction from us. Today is the most severe reaction, but we felt like the circumstances came together to warrant the reaction we're talking about this morning.”

He also expressed confidence that the competitors understand where NASCAR’s line is drawn. "I think the garage areas -- the drivers, the team owners, the crew members -- understand the difference between being responsible and crossing the line,” he said. “I honestly believe they understand the difference, but we'll have to wait and see how the opinions react to this."

Ultimately, Busch may face sanctions more severe than those levied by NASCAR. Addressing the media this morning in Texas, team owner Joe Gibbs accepted blame for his driver’s actions, saying, “It definitely rests with me. When you own something… you’re responsible. I take full responsibility for it."

Gibbs hinted that conversations have taken place with team sponsors about how to proceed, and sources in the NASCAR garage say serious consideration is being given to parking Busch for the remainder of the 2011 Sprint Cup and Nationwide campaigns.

“Everybody here with our race team is trying to meet with everybody that was affected by this,” said Gibbs. “Obviously, we’ve got a lot of work to do there and a lot of people to see. But we’re going to be trying to go through this and handle everything in the right way.”

“This is a tough situation for us,” admitted Gibbs. “(With) other things that have happened in the past, we’ve tried to handle those things the right way. Certainly, that’s what we’re going to try to do with this.”

43 comments:

  1. Gibbs should do the right thing and give him the rest of the year to think about his actions.Maybe he will learn from this and come back smarter.Sponsors can not be happy with his latest outburst.

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  2. I Think this penalty to Bush is a little too late.We all knew he had a hot temper. I think nascar decision to suspend bush Although it was severe I think it was so right call. It goes to show you that nascar is still in control. That's why I love this sport. Thanks Moody you do a great job!

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  3. Anonymous1:06 PM

    If I were Gibbs I`d park him myself as his role as my representative in the sport can no longer be tolerated. However, he would be present at each of the remaining races sitting on the box with the crew watching his car race without him and also remaining in the public eye. No early vacation for him.

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  4. Dave C1:20 PM

    My hat is off to Joe Gibbs in this situation. He's trying to field a multi-car team in a down economy and that requires a star at the wheel like Busch. I appreciate that he is willing to lay out a code of conduct that has consequences if there is an on-track incident that puts others at risk.

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  5. Anonymous1:28 PM

    And Kyle wonders why Hendrick let him go! This is example A!

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  6. Anonymous1:38 PM

    No matter what ANYONE or ANYBODY does to penialize KyBusch will mean nothing. This guy thinks he is 10' tall and bullet proof; wrecks a car on pit lane, wrecks people under caution, wreckless speeding on personal time, abusive jestures to Officials, etc. He gets a slap on the wrist, a minor dent made in his pocket and he is free to "have at it". We have seen NOTHING phase him or his attitude. Benching him for a weekend will only fuel his rage and anger. If he is this abusive ON track, I hope Samantha has taken a self-defence course.
    ~Charlene from Toronto~

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  7. Anonymous1:48 PM

    Yes he should be parked this weekend. And he should likely be suspended the balance of the season by either Toyota, Gibbs, Mars or NASCAR. And next year, I say Kyle - you only run in one series - you pick it. (Not you run for points or not; one series only.) Looking at replay, it looked like the 07 on the inside got loose, tapped left rear of 33 which got up into the 18. And all was relatively clear, until the driver of the 18 went wild. That kid needs serious help - between the ears. Perhaps he should NOT be driving at all. Send him back to lawnmowers or go carts. Terry in Delaware

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  8. Kyle needs to remember there are no more super teams that will take him.Lots of burnt bridges for him.He'll end up like mayfield if he doesn't watch it!!!

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  9. mrclause1:57 PM

    Sit him down for the rest of the year just like Roush did his brother for being ignorant. Hopefully his sponsors will fine him as well as Home Depot did Tony. This very talented kid needs a severe wake up call. He has earned it.

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  10. Anonymous2:03 PM

    I agree with the last two coments! I think, he needs,help, between his ears! He is a disgrace to his sponsors I an sending an e-mail to mars! I hope they drop him! And he needs to be taken between the haulers, and have the grap beat out of him! Oh, an carl , should have been parked for doing the same thing to brad! can not stand kyle, or carl an i would love to see brad take carl out!

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  11. The plus side of the suspension is I can do something other than watch any races this weekend.

    Note to NASCAR: The technology is now here to have local tracks broadcast races live in HD on the Internet. You are no longer needed.

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  12. IMHO there should be a 5 race suspension in all series. Meaning that he'd miss the first two races into next season. Giving him a 1,2, or 3 race suspension is water off a birds feather for shrub. He needs to feel the pressure from all sides. Feel it from us the fans, the sponsors, and NASCAR. Giving him a 1 race suspension is a joke for Kyle Busch. For average joes like us, yeah that's something. This is just, in my humble opinion.

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  13. Anonymous3:30 PM

    Here's my opinion; there are always many personalities that voice there views, and in their minds they are correct. I agree with most, if not all postings regarding this but most of all, and not noted...he could have taken another mans life. If the safer barrier wasn't there that would have been a massive hit. A championship chance taken away is one thing, a life is another. He (Kyle) doesn't respect his peers, his owner, his sponsors or himself. Overall, a decision will be made by someone else who believes they are doing the right thing too. Its only our job to join in.

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  14. Anonymous3:34 PM

    After all the retaliation that went on last week with no consequences shows that NASCAR is a out of control joke.

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  15. Anonymous3:51 PM

    Dave I thought payback didn't happen on big tracks. Nice to see u can be wrong

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  16. Anonymous4:16 PM

    He owes Hordnaday a check for the championship he lost and Harvick for a new truck - and be banned the rest of the season AND the Daytona 500 AND No Truck Racing for the 2012 season!

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  17. Papa Steve4:43 PM

    1st let me say, I have been a Kyle Busch fan since his Hendrick's days. I happened to be watching the race when he intentionally wrecked Hornaday. No doubt, he crossed the line of the "Boys have it". I am glad that NASCAR sat him down for the remainder of the weekend, and wouldn't argue against a longer suspension. It is a ruling that they should have used more over the past few years (i.e. Edwards), and should send a strong message to all teams, a message stronger than taking away point and fines.

    A stronger message would include sending his Nationwide and Sprint cars home as well. That would definately make teams think twice about for not passing inspections and bone-head driving.

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  18. Anonymous4:53 PM

    No doubt that Kyle deserves this penalty. But didn't Carl Edwards deserve something similar with what he did to Keselowski in Atlanta?

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  19. Anonymous4:54 PM

    Busch should have been fined the amount of money it takes to buy Hornaday a new truck, plus the amount of winnings he might have won both in the race and in the Championship, and should have been parked for the rest of the year. Maybe that would have gotten his attention.

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  20. Anonymous5:11 PM

    To all that have questions about when the ax should fall for on track incidents, keep in mind this happened under caution, not during green flag racing.

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  21. Anonymous5:21 PM

    Carl E made a move to win a race after Brad K. made an equally aggressive move for the win. They both got fined. Brad K seems to have gotten the message. Kyle Busch made a stupid move early in a race. Message has been given to him before but he seems to be slow. A 5 race suspension in all series is called for.

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  22. Anonymous5:29 PM

    I could understand the punishment if he was already on probation, but this type of thing happened in the past and nothing was done then, so why now? Don't say it was the speed because Brad was going faster at Atlanta when Carl wrecked him. Don't say it was because it was under caution because last week Jamie McMurray tried to wreck Vickers under caution (not successfully since he had no power, but still under caution). Didn't Jimmie try to wreck someone at Charlotte just a couple of races ago? Just because he didn't succeed doesn't mean the intent was any different. So why punish one driver so severely for what has been considered "having at it" for the past couple of seasons? If he was already on probation it would make sense, but he was not and therefore I feel it was a knee-jerk reaction because it was Kyle Busch. Any other driver would've been parked for the rest of the race, maybe owner's points and a monetary fine, but this was too much.

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  23. Anonymous6:24 PM

    As Nascar has said to drivers before and will say to drivers again. "You need Nascar more than Nascar needs you"! If a driver brings the sport into disrepute through his actions on or off the track again and again, it begs the question of when is the message going to be delivered that this behavior is unacceptable. A long time on the beach may be just what K.Busch needs. If I were Gibbs, I would fire him, but I'm not, but Gibbs just might do that. K. Busch is arrogant and unrepenting. Thinks the world revolves around him and like many others befoe him will have to be reminded that he is just a driver and there are many, many, many other equally talented drivers out there who are ready to take his place.
    Have a nice Winter, Kyle.

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  24. Anonymous6:25 PM

    I almost stoped watching racing because of that and I really don't like either of em. That's why NASCAR did what they did the fans are bigger than kb

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  25. Anonymous6:31 PM

    The way I see "Boys Have at It" is under the green flag is when boys have at it is in effect drivers take care of there on problems once yellow or red flags get waved they are no longer racing. that is when Nascar should step in.

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  26. Kathy6:34 PM

    Very pleased that NASCAR saw the light. Talent might not be enough. Some good judgement is needed as well. Kyle obviously has plenty of the first and not nearly enough of the second. Sitting him down for a weekend is a minimum for what he did and what he's done in the past. I've lost a lot of respect for JGR in its hands-off handling of Kyle. I'd like to see him out for the rest of the season. Maybe David Reutimann could show what he can do in really good equipment.

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  27. Anonymous8:41 PM

    Long time coming. I have the utmost respect for Gibbs and hope finally he will do to Kyle what should have been done long time ago...Park his whiney butt. If I had my way, he would be let go as a driver and he can go live with Mayfield. I hope Toyota has enough pull to pull KB out for the rest of the year...an heck a few races next year....good way for him to start of the year...

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  28. Anonymous10:34 PM

    does anyone know the e-mail address of mars, m &m? everyone should send one, an let them how most of the fans feel! I,say, most, because,there will always ,be a rare few, that thinks , that was o.k. what kyle done!

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  29. Anonymous11:02 PM

    Well anonymous, when you send that email, please make sure you let them know you are speaking for yourself because you do not speak for me.
    ~Melissa~

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  30. Anonymous12:17 AM

    Kyle Busch should be banned for life......
    What if he would have killed Ron Hornaday????

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  31. Anonymous12:35 AM

    I have a better idea. Given all of the comments made this past week about David Reutimann's release from MWR, it is apparent that he is a popular racer despite his lack of on-track success in 2011. We need to petition JGR and M&M Mars to put Reutie in the No. 18 in 2012.

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  32. Rod Rohwer1:13 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  33. Anonymous1:32 AM

    "What if he would have killed Ron Hornaday???? Don't bring 'what if's' into this, Dave doesn't approve.

    In all seriousness, this had to happen. I've had this position for a few months w/ Rowdy. Love his passion, but he has some anger mgmt issues. His actions Fri PM were nothing short of arrogant and stupid. Imature isn't even an excuse anymore. And he still tried to justify it in the post-park interview. That hit Hornaday took looked way worse the '3', and we know how that turned out.

    This retaliation crap that has resulted from the BHAI mentality is def not an exact science.

    I'd park him for the rest of the year. Currently 36% of NASCAR fans polled (http://www.nascar.com/POLLSERVER/results/57103.html) agree. JGR, NASCAR, M&M, IMHO have nothing to lose IMO, and I believe he'll be the better for it next season. The guy is a born winner and has the potential to be the best we've ever seen (he's already one of the best.)

    His apology letter sounded sincere and I believe he may have finally seen the light. In his own words:

    "As a racecar driver, the hardest thing to do is to sit on the sidelines listening to cars on the track when you know you should be out there competing."

    This will motivate him to do the right thing I believe.

    That being said, if Kyle, Kevin, and Ron are in the same race at Homestead? As TP 199 says 'Game On'!!!!!!! I won't miss it.

    MxPhlipper, Louisiana (via SoCal)

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  34. Mastfan4:35 AM

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  35. Anonymous11:21 AM

    The saddest thing to me this weekend was having to watch Joe Gibbs appear before the press even though he knew there was really nothing he would be able to say. I mean, really, what the hell DO you say after something like that. I'm sure he's getting pretty tired of having to deal with Kyle's episodes...he looked tired.
    Terry, Canada

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  36. Britboy1:37 PM

    One problem KB has is that he is more Dale Sr. than Dale Jr. is and NASCAR and fans won't forgive him for that. While I don't condone what he did, if by some miracle this had been Dale Jr. the press would have been crowning him king. Remember last week when they lauded Dale Jr. for driving very aggressively. Just be consistent, which NASCAR has never been. KB, just be more patient in your revenge.

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  37. Anonymous3:08 PM

    If this was Jimmy,Junior, or Carl it would be just racing.What Carl did to Brad was way worse, but because it was goody two shoes it was ok. Nascar says boys have at it as long it is certain ones. Kyle is running for a championship also and they took him out. Mars corp I will definately buy your products.You have a great person to promote your products. Joe Gibbs he has been already punished enough.

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  38. Anonymous4:15 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  39. IF YOUR COMMENT HAS BEEN REMOVED, IT IS BECAUSE YOU VIOLATED OUR RULES AGAINST PROFANITY AND/OR NAME CALLING. IF YOU CANNOT COMMENT WITHOUT CALLING NAMES, WE DON'T NEED YOUR INPUT. KEEP IT CLEAN OR TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE!

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  40. Anonymous6:49 PM

    What if Carl would have killed Brad?

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  41. Anonymous7:46 PM

    this is a reply to melissa! If you had read what i sent, notice, i said a rare few, would not agree, an you are one of them! we all have a right, to state, how we feel,but as you can read, all the comments, most agree with me! SO WE SHOULD ALL SEND AN E-MAIL TO MARS INCORPRATED!

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  42. Anonymous9:46 PM

    thanks nascar. you finally grew some balls. but joe gibbs didnt follow thru by allowing kyle to sit on the war wagon during the race. when you are suspended in a sport you are not allowed in the arena. aint that right joe? show us you are the stern by the book coach & suspend busch for the remainder of the season.

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  43. I will like to see which Driver all these' hardcore fans' go after when hes gone! It should be all peas and carrots then.

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