Track Smack: Kyle's attitide problem; the COT returns

1) How much of a topic will Kyle Busch's, shall we say, fit of pique at Texas be this weekend in Phoenix?

Dave Rodman: I don't think you can read anything into Junior jumping into the car for Kyle -- Junior's a soldier, and a good sport. As disappointed as Kyle was, I think storming off was a bad move.

Joe Menzer: It should be a topic. What a contrast in examples of ways to handle yourself no matter what happens at a race: Kyle storms off without talking to the media or telling his team where he's headed.

David Caraviello: Something tells me he'll be offering an apology to his team when he meets with the media this weekend. You could see the disappointment clearly on crew chief Alan Gustafson's face after the race.

Dave Rodman: Absolutely, that's what I'm thinking. I think Kyle will have his situation with the team rectified, but obviously, the media hounds must be fed, also.

David Caraviello: Must have been a very interesting meeting Tuesday morning over at Hendrick.

Joe Menzer: Junior not only talks calmly with the media, but then jumps in Kyle's car to finish the job Kyle should have finished. Junior was the one who had more of a right to storm off after what had happened!

David Caraviello: You can't blame Junior at all. Shoot, get some first-hand intel on how a Hendrick car handles? No brainer, unless he loses the title to Kyle by three points -- which is quite unlikely to happen.

Dave Rodman: I've said for years how much Junior impresses me in so many arcane ways -- and this was another example. They need something good to happen, and Sunday looked like it was gonna be it.

David Caraviello: You're right, Dave. He's a much deeper guy than he gets credit for.

Joe Menzer: Listen, I know most folks don't care how these guys treat the media. But we are their conduit to the fans, and part of their job is to talk with us. We are, shall we say, part of the vital circle of life of racing.

David Caraviello: Joe has evidently been in Disney World for too long. Now he's spouting Lion King references.

Joe Menzer: Look at how he's played his cards in the DEI situation. Brilliant, in my opinion.

Dave Rodman: After the crash, he said nothing bad about anyone -- not Kyle, his car, his crew or anything else. He was constantly pumping his guys up and when the danged thing blew up HE apologized for doing it.

Joe Menzer: Dale Jr. is like the Simba of NASCAR.

David Caraviello: I'd offer an opinion on that, Joe, if I knew who Simba was. (Continued)