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SPEED Analysts Steve Byrnes, Matt Clark & Kenny Wallace React To Kurt Busch Suspension
SPEED analysts speak out about Kurt Busch news...
SPEED Staff  |  Posted June 04, 2012   Charlotte, NC
Steve Byrnes on SPEED. (Photo: SPEED)
SPEED ANALYSTS STEVE BYRNES, MATT CLARK & KENNY WALLACE REACT TO KURT BUSCH SUSPENSION

Today, NASCAR suspended NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kurt Busch until June 13, and extended his probation until Dec. 31.

Here are quotes from SPEED analysts on the news…

Steve Byrnes, SPEED NASCAR Race Hub Host:

“I saw him with Jerry Punch (earlier in the day) and he seemed fine. Then, later that night when I actually saw it (Busch’s interview with Bob Pockrass) on Facebook, my feeling was that he was going to get into trouble. Not because of that one incident, but because of the totality of what’s gone on this year. He was pretty abusive of NASCAR at Darlington (S.C.) – to the tower – during the race, and I just think it’s the totality of what’s gone on. I really don’t think it was this incident at all. To me, it’s NASCAR’s way of sending him a message.

“Here’s what’s sad about it. Earlier this year, even though he didn’t have a lot of finishes to show the success, I think a lot of people were starting to say, ‘You know, he’s doing a great job.’ Let’s face it; Phoenix Racing isn’t a well-funded team. But we were starting to hear his name again in the garage area. He might wind up at (car owner) Richard Childress, he might wind up here…, so to me, it looked like everything was headed in the right direction. This year, for 2012, there wasn’t even a contract with (current car owner) James Finch, it was a handshake. It seemed like Kurt was making the most of it, and I thought it was kind of a year of redemption for Kurt Busch.

“He’s a former champion, he’s won over 20 races and who wouldn’t want him in the car. What makes this complicated is that it’s a little different from the NFL and Major League Baseball, and that you aren’t just representing a team, but you are representing sponsors. NASCAR drivers are held to a little higher standard than other athletes. Like it or not, it’s what they sign up for.”

Matt Clark, SPEED NASCAR Analyst:

“I’m surprised that NASCAR did that, based on (his interview.) But they took the verbal threat very seriously, and I guess they felt they had to act. I’ll be very interested to see, as we move forward, exactly how all of this plays out. They have sat him out for a week, and I guess they are tired of his antics. It’s a unique deal.

“I think that’s (his future) the biggest concern. It’s one of those deals where he’s trying to do his best, be on his best behavior, but everything they do is scrutinized. Kurt reacted to a question… it doesn’t bode well, at least in the short term, for how owners and sponsors view him.”

Kenny Wallace, SPEED NASCAR RaceDay Analyst:

“I believe this is what Kurt needed to realize that this sport can move on without him, or any other driver that’s talented like him. This is a message sent to all drivers that they aren’t bigger than the sport. NASCAR has told me, my whole career, that it isn’t just about me and that there are 100 more lined up behind us, and are just as talented as we are.

“I believe he needs some serious anger management. I know that he’s a sweetheart, and that he’s given a lot of money to a lot of charities, but that doesn’t excuse him from being so mean, and cussing out everyone who’s been so good to him.”
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