Ron from Panama City Beach, Fla.: Larry, do you think all this teammate ranting by Kyle will affect his possible hiring by some owners?
Larry McReynolds: It would certainly be a concern, but still, if I were an owner right now with a solid sponsor, I'd be sleeping on that kid's doorstep until I could make something happen. I have heard that he wants a phenomenal amount of money. Is he worth it? Probably. But you've got to make sure that you can afford to make the deal and still have money to go out and be competitive for a 36-race schedule.
As an owner, I would sit down with him in a polite, gentlemanly, but to-the-point way. I'd say, "Kyle, we've got to be mature about some things. We've got to quit walking with this chip on our shoulder. We want you to be outspoken and real. We want you to show your emotions. But don't get out of a race-winning car and say, 'This car sucks.' It makes no sense. Don't get out and say, 'My crew chief screwed up, but the good thing is I only have to put up with him for four more months.' For the sake of our race team, our teammates, our sponsor and the fans, we're not going to do that. If you've got a beef, let's get behind closed doors and fix them. If we don't fix them, so be it. Have at it. Open season. But don't go public.' "
Although it's a different organization, a similar situation went down at Dale Earnhardt Inc. last winter when Teresa Earnhardt went public. She questioned Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s focus and commitment to driving. The minute I read her quote, I knew it was the beginning of the end of that relationship because it just won't work without trust.
Kyle Busch has so much talent, whether he's in a Busch car, a Craftsman Truck or a Cup car. He's the closest thing that I've seen to the late Tim Richmond. The kid has more car control than the law allows, but he's got to learn how to control his emotions and the things he says. He's a great kid, and sometimes we forget that he's only 22 years old. But he's in a big-man's sport so he's got to act like a big man.
Larry McReynolds: It would certainly be a concern, but still, if I were an owner right now with a solid sponsor, I'd be sleeping on that kid's doorstep until I could make something happen. I have heard that he wants a phenomenal amount of money. Is he worth it? Probably. But you've got to make sure that you can afford to make the deal and still have money to go out and be competitive for a 36-race schedule.
As an owner, I would sit down with him in a polite, gentlemanly, but to-the-point way. I'd say, "Kyle, we've got to be mature about some things. We've got to quit walking with this chip on our shoulder. We want you to be outspoken and real. We want you to show your emotions. But don't get out of a race-winning car and say, 'This car sucks.' It makes no sense. Don't get out and say, 'My crew chief screwed up, but the good thing is I only have to put up with him for four more months.' For the sake of our race team, our teammates, our sponsor and the fans, we're not going to do that. If you've got a beef, let's get behind closed doors and fix them. If we don't fix them, so be it. Have at it. Open season. But don't go public.' "
Although it's a different organization, a similar situation went down at Dale Earnhardt Inc. last winter when Teresa Earnhardt went public. She questioned Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s focus and commitment to driving. The minute I read her quote, I knew it was the beginning of the end of that relationship because it just won't work without trust.
Kyle Busch has so much talent, whether he's in a Busch car, a Craftsman Truck or a Cup car. He's the closest thing that I've seen to the late Tim Richmond. The kid has more car control than the law allows, but he's got to learn how to control his emotions and the things he says. He's a great kid, and sometimes we forget that he's only 22 years old. But he's in a big-man's sport so he's got to act like a big man.
