Kurt Busch
 

I just can't help myself...

Don't we have some more important things to bitch about than some "celebrity" being allowed to race at a national event. Yes, we all need grading points and he hasn't run a divisional, but get serious, it's a near "once in a lifetime" exception. I'm sure if he wanted to race at nationals more often that they'd make him attend a divisional or two. Let's face it, a grade of one will get you in most any race these days. And if they add him AFTER the race has closed, then it affects no one, as in he didn't "take" an available spot from anyone.

It will probably be fun, he obviously won't be competitive, and at least a sportsman class will get some exposure. No, it's probably not going to make any earth shattering media changes in the future, but it will get on Sportscenter, Nascar's next broadcast, etc.

Let's say Tiger Woods...errr, make that LeBron James wants to race at Norwalk. Think we should tell him "no" because he doesn't have a grade point? Let's be somewhat reasonable here. Sometimes we take ourselves a little bit too serious...in my humble opinion...

Believe me, I love to bitch...I'll happily rail against the machine when wronged, but this isn't worth it. Instead of this, why don't we go back to bitching about how hundreds of racers spent thousands of dollars at Phoenix over the last two weeks and never even got to race. That would seem to me to be a bit more offensive. All Kurt Busch racing SG is going to do is give someone a easy trip into round two...

And BTW, this is coming from someone that they WOULD NOT let race at Richmond last year when I 'effed up and didn't enter on time. I was the defending event champ, current world champ, and former world champ...all recognized as provisional entries, but not after 4pm est on the Monday before the race...

As they say, my $.02...

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Thank You. ........................Tom

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Well said Dan!

Re: Kurt Busch
 

could not agree with you more, well said CHAMP

Re: Kurt Busch
 

One thing we as sportsman racers need is media coverage. Anything helps .
Let him race. It will be a good race for someone.

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Dan -- I'm with you on this one .........BTW , I'll be OK with Tiger Woods getting an entry at Norwalk ( or anywhere else for that matter ) as long as he brings his blonde entourage along .

As far as Phoenix goes we all know it was a giant cluster and maybe we can learn from it ..............

As for your Richmond entry -- lets just say you took that very well and should be rewarded by getting Mr.Busch first round at the 'Gators......................

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Good comments Fletcher I agree

Re: Kurt Busch
 

I agree whole heartedly - Dan.

Said it before myself.

Some of these guys just have a low brain cell count.

They would bitch if you hung them with a new rope.

Go Kurt Busch.

:-)

LOL

Re: Kurt Busch
 

In case Sophia Loren wants an entry to a national event, I'd be all in on that one too!

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Say What

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Can you really blame him for wanting to drag race and get away from that circle jerk stuff. Plus he will be in a Mopar! Welcome Kurt Busch.

Re: Kurt Busch
 

like you said most races aren't full anyways . so as long as no-one gets bumped whats the harm.

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Well put Dan. Well put.

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Under the watchful eye of former NHRA and IHRA Pro Stock driver Roy Hill, Kyle Busch raced at Rockingham Dragway Monday. The 31-year-old Busch, who normally drives the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, had a best quarter mile time of 9.16 seconds at 166 miles per hour.
slideshow Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion and one of only 18 drivers to have won races in each of NASCAR’s top three divisions, showed off his vaunted versatility Monday night at Rockingham Dragway at the wheel of a 1970 Dodge Challenger in which he will make his drag racing debut two weeks hence.

Under the watchful eye of former NHRA and IHRA Pro Stock driver Roy Hill, who now operates a professional drag racing school, the 31-year-old Busch, who normally drives the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, had a best quarter mile time of 9.16 seconds at 166 miles per hour.

“We got a lot of homework done,” Busch said, “but we’ve still got a lot to do. The track worked great and I was amazed at how well the car hooked at the 400 foot mark.”

A vintage “muscle car,” Busch’s Challenger is equipped with a turbocharger which, according to Hill, makes it fully capable of sub-9.00 second times although it will be dialed-in to run the 9.90 second standard of the NHRA Super Gas class.

Busch will make his Super Gas debut at the March 11-14 NHRA Tire Kingdom Gatornationals at Gainesville, Fla.

A native of Las Vegas, Busch was the 2000 Craftsman Trucks Rookie-of-the-Year and the 2003 IROC champion before winning the ultimate stock car title in 2004, the first year NASCAR’s premier championship was determined in a Countdown format.

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Dan,

I had that very discussion just last week with a friendly next state racer. The costs that were encurred should never have been, it was not well handled at all.

As to Kurt being easy pickins', well I'm guessing it will be like Danica Mania, she had the best car and crew money could buy to run against a lot of underfunded teams. Don't think they'll want to see the Busch embarrassed. (Hey, maybe they will ask me to run against him so he looks really good!) It makes no difference to me, it is their court and I'm glad he wants to dabble, but there wouldn't have been any of this if they'd have just followed their own rules, or grant exceptions to anyone in a hardship case situation. Like some former multi-time champ hitting the entry key late. I can't understand NHRA not wanting to take your money, heck I'm trying to get our sales staff to take all the free profit business we can get.

But the stupidest thing I've ever heard was on the news last night where the airlines will sell the safety exit row seats for more money. ??? Shouldn't the individuals near the door be the most capable of getting everyone out safely in an emergency? That is why they call it the emergency exit correct? I forget, was it Larry Morgan or Forest Gump who had the clearest observation of the situation?

Re: Kurt Busch
 

I'll take a look at this from a different angle.

Take my wife for example. She likes drag racing and I'm her only hero. However, she's a HUGE fan of NASCAR which I'm not. I'm mean she's to the point of driving me nuts. She just loves Kasey Kane and the #9 car. She's got Kasey Kane P.J.'s, Kasey Kane calander, Kasey Kane drink glasses, Kasey Kane jacket, Kasey Kane this...Kasey Kane that... and the dude doesn't even drive a Dodge anymore so I'm sure she's going to go out and buy a bunch of Kasey Kane Ford stuff and bring it in to a Mopar only house.

Point is, If Kasey Kane drove a car down the 1320... good or bad, fast or slow, win or loose, my wife would be watching. She'd MAKE me purchase tickets for the both of us to go to the summer nat's. If some NASCAR drivers came over to NHRA, wouldn't you think their fans would also follow? My wife sure would. How many Danica Patrick IRL fans are now watching NASCAR?

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Ed,

Please don't pick on Betty!

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Ed mentioned Jay Leno. This image just came to mind.... Picture Jay Leno in the stands interviewing a few of the fans asking, "What is a grade point?" Now think of the stupid answers they'd come up with.

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Right On Dan.......

Whinners are just not happy no matter what....they spend their days looking for stuff to whine about.....


Ed O.....Betty White would tree your grumpy *** and hang a wheel on you.....and she uses a 2 step and a blinder......LOL ( I crack myself up)

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Someone should start a "Celebrity Drag Race TV Show" (Pass-Time spinoff, maybe).....Make it all heads-up racing, with all compatible cars, kind of like the IROC series was.....You know, Leno vs. Letterman, Fergie vs. Betty White, ect.....Probably would really take off....Someone call Bruton....could use "ledgends cars"!:D WJ

Re: Kurt Busch
 

O.K......I have a really stupid question!?!?!?! How do we know that Kurt Busch isn't gonna tech a car in ATL this weekend for the 1 grade point he needs to follow the rules & enter on Monday?...s/g isn't full.....hence, why all the bitching!?!?!

BTW....very well put Dan!

Re: Kurt Busch
 

it would be real easy as Nascar is at Atlanta this weekend also

Re: Kurt Busch
 

That would be the classy way to do it, showing respect for the rules of the sport, and for all others competing.....:)WJ

Re: Kurt Busch
 

good point mark ,this cant do anything but help sportsman racing.

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Turbo car, footbraking on a .400 pro tree there is going to be an accident on the way to the lanes first round.

Re: Kurt Busch
 

I agree. It seems they could have picked an easier combination for his first race. Maybe it is consistant and easy to drive but I doubt it. Throttle stops and turbos. Hang on.

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Very good points Dan. There are many who can make good arugments for both sides of this issue. And as another post pointed out it is still possible for Kurt to earn his required grade point before Gainsville.
What I think a lot of racers would disagree with is the fact the someone of your racing stature and long time supporter (playing by NHRA's own rules) wasn't allowed to race at Richmond, and now the possibility exists that (or to this point the rumor exists) they may relax their own rules to allow a non grade point racer to participate. The fact that the fields are not full shouldn't matter. You were no exception, why should someone else be?

Re: Kurt Busch
 

How long does it usually take to officially receive a grade point after teching in? Will someone like Drooze get his grade point in time to enter by 4 PM EST on Monday?


-Toby

Re: Kurt Busch
 

I hate to disagree with Dan. We all know that you are a FANTASTIC spoksperson for our sport no doubt. You are the guy we all want to be. BUT we same as you all have to get grade points to compete. Just because he has a wad of cash and celebrity in ANOTHER sport does not mean anything for us. They will interview him on ESPN and he will say ANYBODY can drag race look at me! We as a group will not get any TV time only the lucky guy in the other lane who takes him out will get any tv. Imho it will not help only show a lack of respect for what we do. NASCAR is NASCAR if he wants to change let him do what we have to do and then use his celebrity voice to show how we are disrespected on the divisional level. This will be a racing vacation for him.And as for the NBA and MLB stars racing....well bring them in but let them play by the same rules we do.If you went with a wad of cash and the celebrity rep you have in drag racing (yes Dan you are a celebrity to people like me and others) you would not be able to run in the NASCAR series right away right? and you would still have to "try out" for baseball and NBA right? So how does that translate to our sport? I am not trying to make you or anyone else mad but it is ridiculous to make a big deal out of him coming to race. Make him get a grade point or two and go throught the hoops same as us. Besides this will not help us, only be a highlight reel in is career or a foot note in trivia game .Remember when Richard Petty drag raced?

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Fine, let Kurt race.......could be fun for all to experience, I don't think anyone would mistreat Kurt for the rule bending that going to be allowed for him. Hell sportsman racing can use all the good press it can get.

But at the risk of repeating myself, (another post) The problem will be when another Racer is told No, entry without a grade point. Then guess what.......But you let Kurt race!


Kurt..........if your watching......just go to Atl div this week (as earler posted) and ENTER, you don't even have to race. And then it would "all be good"

Welcome Aboard Kurt.

Rick Bailey

Re: Kurt Busch
 

I agree with Dan all the way.

BTW, I saw Greg Biffle when he was a contestant on Speed TV's Pass Time when it was at ZMax Dragway. He did a pretty good job-he even talked about how he'd taken a street car of his to the strip. It was clear he was a fan of drag racing.

BTW, during baseball's spring training there are often celebs who work out with teams-it's great publicity for both baseball and the celebs.

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Biffle has a GT500 that runs 10s. I think it is awesome that Kurt is racing Super Gas. You can bet ESPN will be covering him like a hawk and giving the SG class some air time. Besides, can't he use his Champion's Provisional? LOL

Re: Kurt Busch
 

I would like to see John Force racing in the Cup Series. I would tape his conversations with Coil (being the crew chief) and make a fortune.lol

Greg Schenck

ps: how long would he last?

Re: Kurt Busch
 

I wouldn't wanna race him first round..He might just drop a bulb and whip somebody's ***...after all, the guy is a racer. I don't care if it's racing belt sanders, once a racer, always a racer.

Re: Kurt Busch
 

If he did run 166 mph, then that car is capable of running 8.0s

Greg

Re: Kurt Busch
 

If it was Jr. wanting to race would that make a difference?

Re: Kurt Busch
 

I agree.........there is a lot more important things to whine about than this. I say let him race. And one more thing guys...........If tomorrow, Jennifer Aniston wants to run a national event...........I'm buying her a car!!

Re: Kurt Busch
 

There is another angle to this one. A big name driver with factory support and financial backing, does not need to be competing in Super/Gas with such an odd ball combination. I'm sure he could be driving "Big Daddys" Dodge Challenger Stocker or most anybodys SS/AH car if that's what the powers wanted. There's something else going on here my friends. If NHRA is doing it for promotion....let him race....increase the car quota by 1

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Maybe he is going to use owners points to get in.
I just went to the Sprint Cup schedule and he is busy with practice and qualifying on Friday, Saturday, and race on Sunday so a grade point this weekend is not an option unless someone goes in his place.
My 2 Cents

Re: Kurt Busch
 

Grade points are typically added when they tabulate the points, but if you talk to the Division director, they may be able to get it credited the morning after the race.