Oct 22, 01:46 PM
Kyle Busch and F1? Dang! If so, there goes some villainous fun!
Posted by Cheryl Walker under Racing ArticleReports are circulating that the driver of the No. 18 Toyota, Kyle Busch, is being wooed by a Formula 1 team. (If you have not heard that, just enter that basic premise in your search bar, and you will see what I mean.) This would be to drive for a brand-new United States-based team, something the world of F1 hasn’t had in decades.
The prospect of a new F1 team representing our country is exciting, as in recent years I have become a fan of the series. This is due in large part to the exuberant fanaticism of my son, Joshua, for this form of open-wheel racing. (Whatever he likes I end up liking, too, and that is really not so bad. It brought me to the world of NASCAR, and I have never once regretted that.) I have the impression that people in the world of Formula 1, as well as the world in general, find the citizens of our country rather violent hayseeds with no morals, wisdom, or class at all. Therefore if having a team of ours as part of their classy open-wheel series helps to mitigate any of those wild perceptions about those ruffians from the U.S., then I am all for it.
That this particular driver, Kyle Busch, is considered one of the least-liked of all of the NASCAR drivers in America may play into his favor when being considered for the position in F1. Perhaps if he is NOT popular in this country, that will automatically earn him respect from those who will either work with him, or watch him race there in the future.
Personality-wise, I expect he would measure up with the other F1 drivers just fine with people from other countries. From what I understand, there is little contact between fans and F1 drivers (as opposed to NASCAR), and public knowledge of drivers is carefully controlled by slick PR people (perhaps more like NASCAR; but still with stricter controls). So knowledge about Busch would be restricted to his stats (quite noteworthy indeed), and that a lot of American fans boo the heck out of him when he is put in front of them. What is not to like, from a F1 fan’s perspective?
As far as Busch’s on-track attitude, his blatant desire to race and win, and the fact that he does something like bowing after a win this will likely net him scads of fans from other countries. What is more admired than a steely desire to crush the competitors; and what is classier than a bow, even if at least part of the reason he does it is to irritate those who don’t like him?
Yes he may be quite the perfect driver for a U.S. F1 team. He’s got the attitude, the stats, and has a beautiful girl around him. These are all things F1 fans can relate to and would approve of.
What does that mean for NASCAR, though, if Kyle Busch is enticed to go? I will be one of the fans who will miss him. Over time I have come to admire the ‘tude. The bows. And the kind nature off-track that a slick PR person would advise he keep in the shadows. What the heck is drama without a bad guy? What fun will there be during driver announcements when we don’t have Kyle Busch to boo till the stadiums rumble? Boos for Jimmie, Jeff, and Kurt don’t hold a candle to a rowdy crowd seeing Rowdy Busch. I will miss clenching the armrest of my sofa when this driver of the No. 18 comes from out of nowhere, to tail the leader. I will even miss the goofballs on the message boards who write endlessly about their desire that Busch be boiled in Valvoline oil.
Yes there are still some bad guys to love in NASCAR, and may the powers-that-be always have an understanding of the importance of that.
But my best guess is that if Kyle Busch does bow out of NASCAR (pun intended), the townsfolk will miss him, even if they don’t ever admit it.
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Reginald Greene Says:
Oct 23, 11:12 AMPee Wee, will never be a champion in F1!
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Dylan Says:
Oct 23, 05:09 PMWell, if Kyle goes to USGPE He won’t have to worry about winning. But, really, USGPE can’t afford his contract, most likely. He’d want what, 10 million, and they’ve got a 50 million budget.
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G35Man Says:
Oct 23, 07:15 PMKyle is the ONLY reason I watch NASCRAP. He has TALENT and really gets the spectators into it.
Everytime I see a Hendrick CAR all I think of is $$$$$. He dominates NASCRAP, just like his BIG $$$$$$
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Big Henry Says:
Oct 23, 10:02 PMNo NASCAR driver can just jump into an F1 car and be competitive….....The US team won’t be so stupid as to hire an unproven driver. Perhaps someone from GP2 or Formula 3000.
You want to see the very best drivers in the world? Tune into this weekend’s F1 Qualifying event on SPEED TV.
NASCAR is a spec series now, and a crap one at that.
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Oct 23, 10:24 AM
I am glad to see someone else “gets it” about Kyle Busch. He is playing a role out there and doing it masterfully. It would certainly be a loss to NASCAR to lose its designated villain – and arguably most talented driver – but I would love to see Kyle take F1 by storm. Love it. Would love even more to see him return to NASCAR as F1 champ and really annoy the heck out of the fans.