NASCAR-Kurt Busch

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Here is the official announcement from NASCAR:

NASCAR Suspends Driver Kurt Busch Until June 13; Extends His Probation DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 4, 2012)

NASCAR has suspended driver Kurt Busch until June 13 of this year and extended his NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 for his actions following the NASCAR Nationwide Series race June 2 at Dover International Speedway. Kurt Busch violated Section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing; violation of probation; verbal abuse to a media member) of the 2012 NASCAR Rule Book. Kurt Busch had previously been placed on NASCAR probation May 15 for his actions during the May 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Darlington Raceway. That probation was originally scheduled to end July 25 but has now been extended through the end of this year.

Now here's my take on all of this.  Kurt Busch (KB) was already on thin ice with NASCAR and at the end of the day, his comments were going to get him in trouble.  He acknowledged this at the end of his statement.  I personally don't see the punishment fit the crime in this instance.  At best, I feel that KB's probabtion should have been extended to the end of the season.  What KB did was not any different than what we have seen from many drivers in the past, including Smoke (Tony Stewart).  I feel that NASCAR made a knee jerk reaction and built the proverbial mountain out of a mole hill on this one.  Now I am not a KB fan, but at the end of the day, when these guys are hot, tired and a bit aggrivated at other racers and themselves, they tend to vent off on reporters from time to time.  I get that.  We at TRS have not been subjected to a verbal confrontation, but at the same time I get it. 

Now as to the reporters question, I think it was a valid question and find no fault with his angle that he was going for.  I would still like to hear an honest response from KB or any other driver for that matter, that would be able to explain what they are thinking with that in the back of their heads while on and off the track. 

In closing, KB should have been punished, but I don't feel like the punishment was fair and just.  But as they say, Like is not always fair and justice is spelled MONEY.

Take care and that's my take on this whole KB story.

Tim M. Thomas