Earnhardt: Additional titles will put Busch in ‘greatest driver’ discussion

Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes regardless of whether fans like a certain driver or not, a historic or amazing accomplishment deserves a tip of the cap. This week that driver is Kyle Busch, whom Earnhardt spoke about on his most recent episode of the Dale Jr. Download. Released Tuesday, Earnhardt called Busch "an excellent racer" after his sweep of Bristol Motor Speedway. Such praise from Busch's fellow competitors has been aplenty since Saturday night's race with Earnhardt among the crowd. MORE: Praise pours in for Busch's Bristol sweep | Samantha Busch cracks joke at Kyle's celebration But when Earnhardt was asked what he thought about Kyle Larson's tweet saying Busch is the most all-around talented driver, he took the compliments even further. “I think Kyle Busch would be considered by many people to be the greatest race car driver in the history of the sport if and when he wins a few more championships," said Earnhardt. "I think that's the only thing that's not allowed him to creep into that conversation yet for a lot of people -- just say the media. Maybe the media thinks that Jimmie (Johnson), my dad … there's a lot of people that would say David Pearson might have been the greatest race car driver ever. Kyle's definitely getting in this conversation. Particularly with weekend's like this. "If he goes on and wins a championship or two, or three more championship before he hangs it up, he's going to be in that [conversation]." Of the drivers mentioned, Dale Earnhardt Sr. won seven championships and 76 races before his death in 2001. David Pearson captured three championships and 105 race wins. Jimmie Johnson is at seven championships, 83 wins and counting. Following Bristol, Busch, who turned 32 in May, now has 40 career wins in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The number puts Busch and his one championship -- from 2015 -- 17th on the all-time wins list. And just to note, of the 16 drivers on the list ahead of Busch, many of whom are named when talking about the sport's great, only 12 have won two or more championships. Busch will get the chance to contend for his second championship when the playoffs begin next month.