 | | Smiroff Ice is one of the sponsors for Roush Racing's No. 97 Ford. Credit: Autostock |
By Marty Smith, NASCAR.COM
November 15, 2005
03:21 PM EST (20:21 GMT)
Kurt Busch has an ego. Many professional athletes do. For whatever reason, self-importance often coincides with lofty social status in America's skewed social status hierarchy. It's unbecoming, sure, but very rarely criminal. And while I don't know what Busch said to Maricopa County, Arizona sheriff's deputies when pulled over last weekend, from my estimation it seems his reaction ultimately carried as much weight in determining his professional fate as the initial action -- reckless driving and suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol -- had. That reaction, which police say was belligerent, is at the crux of the debate on whether or not it was truly pertinent for Roush Racing to suspend him for the final two races of the 2005 Nextel Cup Series season. To my knowledge, this is an unprecedented development -- reigning champion sent packing. Then again, to my knowledge it is likewise unprecedented for a reigning champion to bid adieu to his championship organization 18 months prior to the expiration of his contract with that team. Busch is taking it on the chin for allegedly smelling of alcohol. Fact is he wasn't cited for DUI. He was cited for reckless driving, a viable charge considering he was speeding, swerving and ran a stop sign according to the pursuing deputy. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday that Busch's blood-alcohol level was .017, far below the legal level for intoxication, .08. But since he allegedly smelled of alcohol, the drinking and driving stigma is there. And in a big, big way. That's not good for the point man in a responsible drinking campaign crucial to NASCAR's re-introduction of liquor sponsorships.  |  | THE BUSCH SAGA | Kurt Busch was detained on suspicion of drunken driving and cited for reckless driving after a confrontation with police.
Roush Racing suspended Kurt Busch for the final two races after the defending Cup champ was cited for reckless driving.
On the day his older brother was suspended for the final two races, Kyle Busch posted his second career Cup victory.
The fact that Kurt Busch was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI should not be taken lightly, says Duane Cross.
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I've not spoken with Busch or anyone from the Maricopa County sheriff's department. I've only read and seen what you've read and seen. But I did speak with Roush Racing president Geoff Smith. I wanted to know exactly why Busch was suspended, what code the suspension fell under, because I'd heard it centered on the embarrassment Busch's actions caused his sponsors. Here's what I was told: "Certainly that's an important part of the decision making, but not the only thing," Smith said. "We have our values to deal with, our own policies and ethics and practices and so forth, too. I'm not going to dump it solely on our sponsors. We were all in it together. "You have the concept of most of what we call 'morality clauses' that are in our agreements. The standard that's imposed on a race team, its driver, and crew for that matter, is generally a much higher standard than is imposed on other professional athletes. "Depending on the specific language of the clause, there is not much wiggle room when you deal with behavioral actions that adversely reflect upon a sponsor or brand of a sponsor." "Not much wiggle room" or no wiggle room? Many folks would be fired for DUI. But for having an ego and showing your butt to a police officer? I'm not so sure. I certainly don't condone drinking and driving, but Kurt Busch wasn't drunk. Not even close. This is about attitude. Pull over, be gracious and accept punishment for your transgressions just as everyone else must. Do you agree with Jack Roush's decision to suspend Kurt Busch for the final two races of the season? | | LAST LAP: FINAL TURN | |
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dlanders: I totally agree -- Kurt was thinking only of himself, whereas Jack was having to look at the big picture. Kurt was a problem, more than once. This time he had to pay the piper, because Jack wasn't going to bail him out again. Dear Ann Landers,
One wonders whether Roush's reaction would have differed were:
A) Busch not leaving Roush Racing or,
B) He were in Carl Edwards' position in the Chase for the Nextel Cup? Personally, while I don't know the specifics of what was said to whom, nor who drank or didn't drink what, I'd venture to say no on both counts. And I'm not the only one ... nameisamy: Absolutely -- even if this is a case of this incident just giving Roush an "excuse" to get in one last jab at Kurt. After all, there's only one race left now. Do you really think he would have "fired" Kurt if we were halfway through the season and he was sitting in the top 10? Doubtful. As it is, Kurt was leaving anyway, Roush gets to "save face" with the sponsors -- and Kurt, hopefully, gets a chance to think about his behavior, how it's affecting himself, his fans, and the sport. By the way -- I have a connected question: Was Kyle right to "call out" Kurt's sponsors the way he did in Victory Lane yesterday? I don't think so. Absolutely, unequivocally not. Backing his brother during a tough situation is pertinent, expected and, quite frankly, admirable given that the stage was all his at that moment. |  | | Kyle Busch was somewhat defiant after his win at Phoenix. Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images |
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But taking verbal shots at the media, as if to say it's the media's fault his brother was detained, to a national television audience is undoubtedly the stupidest thing he could've done. That said, I'm not sure he did call out Kurt's sponsors. I'm not sure he was apologizing to Kurt's sponsors that Roush removed Kurt from the seat. This was Kyle's quote: "I just want to say that I'm behind my brother [Kurt Busch] 100 percent," Busch said. "I can't even think right now. I just want to apologize to all of the sponsors for taking a true champion out of the race today." Regardless, the fact remains his chosen comments landed him in a situation he wants no part of. And saddest of all, those comments completely overshadow his standing as a fine driver, one that won his second Nextel Cup event as a rookie. brianh: I do not. I am probably the furthest from being a KB fan, and am sick he is replacing a classy legend like Rusty Wallace, but in this country we are innocent until proven guilty!! That's how it's supposed to be, Brian Harmon, but the court of public opinion is often quick to judge -- including me. I assumed Busch had popped off to authorities and turned a bad situation into a worst-case scenario. But later Sunday evening, my opinion changed dramatically while watching "Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain" on SPEED Channel. During the broadcast, a lady called in with information that she and her teenage sons, USAC midget racers in Phoenix for the Copper World Classic, were pulled over and detained for half-an-hour by a Maricopa County deputy. According to her account, the deputy realized she was an attorney and began badgering her for her defense strategy. Eventually, she said, she looked at the officer and requested arrest or release. There also are Web sites dedicated to the sensationalist tactics used by sheriff Joe Arpaio. According to the Web site, which cites a list of "Top-10 reasons to recall Joe," the No. 1 reason given is that "real law enforcement takes a backseat to publicity stunts." No. 2, you ask? "He lives in a fantasy world of self-importance." Interesting, to say the least ... radar6109: Yes, it was the only thing to do. Kurt Busch has represented sponsors like Crown Royal, and Smirnoff Ice, and will represent Miller Brewing next year. He also participates in the Bud Pole Award. These sponsors came into NASCAR with a message of responsibility, only to have Busch suspected of irresponsibility. There are still many unanswered questions, which may get solved in the next few weeks. My only lingering question is why NASCAR DID NOT ALLOW Kyle Busch to do a burnout. Was it because he is a Busch? Good question, Cpl. O'Reilly. When asked, NASCAR assured me they had in no way disallowed Kyle Busch from performing a post-race celebratory burnout, despite his comments in Victory Lane. kimand18: If Kurt hadn't mouthed off at the police or had alcohol on his breath, the whole incident wouldn't have been such a big deal. That sheriff was ticked! And I don't blame him. Kenny Wallace did a good job in that car, too. I hope Jack uses him at Homestead as well. Kenny Wallace confirmed he will drive the No. 97 Ford this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. maleficent1: Absolutely, Kurt is still under contract with Roush Racing and if Roush tells him to sit, he sits. It's on Jack Roush's shoulders if the sponsors are upset and it is his decision to make. Was it a little harsh? Based on my perception of the typical NASCAR fan I feel it would be better for him to err on the side of appearing harsh rather than lenient. A quick side note to that: Speaking of reactions, did NASCAR hit the lottery or what? Roush's decision meant NASCAR didn't have to react, wasn't forced to defend the allowance of liquor sponsorships. NASCAR CEO Brian France and Jack Roush don't like each other, but there is no question Roush saved France considerable grief by immediately choosing to suspend Busch. KellFree: I do agree in the decision by Roush Racing -- ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I also like what Penske said, that it won't affect what happens next year. I just want to see what happens at the banquet. 1. Does Busch show up?
2. Does he represent Roush or Penske?
3. Does he even mention it?
4. Does he apologize and use it as a chance to make things right with everyone?
5. Does he use it as a chance to throw a jab at Roush Racing by saying something negative? True. Busch's predicament means that, possibly for the first time in NASCAR history, a driver's banquet speech carries news value. Maybe someone will actually watch. | 
