Track Smack: Earning ROI (cont'd)

2. Kyle Busch has won three races and is leading the points. Is he this year's Jimmie Johnson?

Mark Aumann: You know, I looked that up. At this point last season, Johnson had four wins to Jeff Gordon's three. But Gordon had a huge lead in the points. In a way, I think Kyle's season looks more like Gordon's 2007. I wonder if Carl Edwards compares closer to Johnson?

David Caraviello: Yeah, what moron came up with this question? At this time last season, Johnson was indeed looking up to Gordon. But if we're talking about whether Kyle can wind up dominating the year like Johnson's done much of the last two seasons, the answer is an unequivocal yes.

Raygan Swan: He has seven more wins to go, but Jimmie already had four wins this time last season. So anything is possible.

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Well, every sport needs a villain. No more than NASCAR. That's the basic fabric of the weekly "soap opera" aspect. So Kyle Busch is the perfect foil. It was fun to watch fans react when he took the lead Saturday night. It's the whole "morality play" issue. Good vs. evil.

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MARK AUMANN

Mark Aumann: And how much does the Chase render the entire issue moot? No matter how big a lead Busch builds, it all goes out the window after Richmond. However, the momentum he's carrying right now is impressive. There's nobody out there who is that good everywhere, like Kyle's been in 2008.

Raygan Swan: I agree, momentum across three national series is enough to make you believe you can dominate the entire season.

David Caraviello: And all of the Gibbs cars are good every week. That's what concerns me about Edwards, those Roush teams seem a little spotty sometimes. But then again, Gibbs has a much better track record for sharing information.

Raygan Swan: And I think everyone is in Kyle's ear telling him he can do it and that is fueling his drive. That and, umm, the incessant booing from fans (read more).

Mark Aumann: Interesting how he seems to thrive on the negative energy thrown his way, almost as if he is on a mission to prove everyone wrong. I wonder how much last year sticks in his craw. Motivation from a perceived slight is a very powerful tool.

David Caraviello: Yeah, that booing is going to backfire on them. All they're doing is driving him. Thing is, they're all turning him into more of a villain. Hard to come across as a nice guy when everybody's on you all the time.

Raygan Swan: His mom said he's always had a defiant personality and whatever the kid next to him was doing, Kyle would do better.

Mark Aumann: Interesting how a lot of folks are doing the Intimidator comparison. I find him more like a young Darrell Waltrip.

David Caraviello: Yeah, I don't get the Earnhardt stuff, either. Earnhardt was a larger-than-life, polarizing figure. Busch doesn't come across that way. Of course, he's also 23.

Raygan Swan: I think Jimmie Johnson dominated because not all the teams were caught up on the new car setups and programs. But this season everyone is caught up. Yes, Kyle will make the Chase and win more races. But I don't know about 10.

David Caraviello: I will say, judging from the e-mails I've received in the wake of the Darlington race, that Kyle has a lot more fans out there than it seems. People are writing saying he's made racing exciting again. Can't disagree with that.

Raygan Swan: Bottom line: Fans get behind winners. That's all it is, and yes, his exciting style helps.

Mark Aumann: Well, every sport needs a villain. No more than NASCAR. That's the basic fabric of the weekly "soap opera" aspect. So Kyle Busch is the perfect foil. It was fun to watch fans react when he took the lead Saturday night. It's the whole "morality play" issue. Good vs. evil.

Raygan Swan: Kyle even looks like a villain. Most of the drivers out there aren't above 5-foot-7, and here comes Kyle.

David Caraviello: While I think Kyle gets a raw deal from the fans, he could work on his public image a bit. A little humility goes a long way in the grandstand. Sometimes he's so defiant, it's grating. Like how he answers so many media questions with, "Well, obviously ...", which comes across as condescending. Of course, no one's probably ever sat him down and told him that.

Raygan Swan: Or when he says, "Mess with the bull, you get the horns." I hate that. It's so John Wayne and artificial coming from a 23-year-old.

David Caraviello: I thought that was Menzer's line?

Raygan Swan: Yeah, Kyle got it from him.

Mark Aumann: Well, Joe knows bull, that's for sure. But I'd rather hear that than "the (fill in the blank sponsor/car make) was awesome today and I'd like to thank the guys on the crew for a swell job ..."

David Caraviello: Either way, love him or hate him, you have to completely respect the dude's ability to go fast and win races. I think sometimes fans get so wrapped up in the bad vs. good stuff that they fail to recognize sheer talent. And in this case, that's too bad. (Continued)