How would we truly feel?

Question

I've heard a few people, both in this forum and outside of it, claim they feel that Kurt Busch should be completely kicked out of NASCAR for his stunt Monday. While I know we don't know what penalties NASCAR will impose on Busch, what if it were an expulsion from NASCAR entirely? Would there truly be no love lost among NASCAR fans? (except the members of his few and far between fan base). Just curious as to what you on this forum feel your reactions might be if this is in fact the case.

Now to avoid misinterpretation, I'm not saying this will happen, because I don't know what will happen. I just want to know what everyone thinks. I will delay my thoughts until I choose the answer I feel agrees with my view the most.

Answer 1

As a NASCAR fan who tries to be unbiased and open minded, I think that Kurt Busch probably would be missed. I've seen moments when he was the kindest soul, and I've seen times when he's been horrible. We all have our moments, and I don't think that Kurt should be completely kicked out of NASCAR altogether. What he did was wrong, no doubt, and he could have killed someone. He should definetly be fined heavily or maybe shunned from racing for the rest of the season. However, no furthur punishment would be necessary...he shouldn't be kicked out for good. When those guys are out there on the track (or pitt road), they are in a certain state of mind. They want to WIN! They want to be the best guy out there. Kurt and Tony got into a bit of a fuss, and Kurt took it too harshly. I don't think he meant to do what he did, and I think that now that he has time to reflect, he knows he's done something awful. I think he should give him another chance.

In conclusion, Kurt WOULD be missed. He's a great personality and driver in NASCAR,in spite of the bad thing he did. We should forgive him...hopefully he has learned his lesson.

Answer 2

Like him or not he is a past champion and has proven his ability. I would ban other drivers before I would ban him for this incident. I'm NOT defending his actions but he has been much better since he left Roush. You would be filling his spot with someone less capable. The 43 car field is getting filled with less talented drivers as it is because some decent ones have gone to Toyota teams and don't always qualify or have retired/cut back on their schedule. Kurt's pit road move was inexcusable but so is some of the driving of racers that seem to be more of a menace on the track than he was off of it. NASCAR needs to suspend these guys and the message will become crystal clear right away. Banning someone forever should only be from repeated offenses and the ban for drug use that they presently enforce. Give Kurt a 1 race suspension, a 200 point fine and $200,000. I think that will get his and everyone else's attention. If they do it again you double the fines. Third strike and THEN your out, even felons get that.

Answer 3

I would be dissapointed in NASCAR, I'm not a die-hard Kurt Busch fan, but he is okay. There have been many instances of drivers making stupid decisions when they are heated, that is part of the appeal of NASCAR. I think there would be some people upset, and not just Kurt Busch fans.To expel a driver would change the way drivers behave, and i think it would require NASCAR to expel drivers every time they make a stupid mistake. It has been over a year since Kurt's last stupid move (Phoenix, Nov. 2005) and there are a lot of drivers to mess up way more frequently. I think some fans need to give the guy a break.

Answer 4

I don't see NASCAR banning him for this incident. No one was actually harmed. If he had killed someone, then yes maybe I could see that happening. But what we had here was road rage. The potential for harm was certainly obvious. But banning in my opinion would be extreme in this instance. Severe penalty? Yes indeed. As one who has a problem with road rage myself at times, I can see where blind rage can block good judgement. I think this is what happened with Busch. If I were severely punished for my incidents, I would have it coming. If he is severely punished for his, he will have it coming. I suspect he knows that. My gut instinct says he will sit out some number of races; probably more than one and something less than the remainder of the season. I also believe he will loose a substantial if not all of his accumulated points for this season. And I expect a large fine, something with six figures. Already this season, starting with Michael Waltrip, we've been going "Whoa! BIG sanctions!" when NASCAR has lowered the boom. I believe tomorrow we'll be saying the same thing when news hits about this event.

Answer 5

I think NASCAR should lay down a fine.. maybe somewhere around the $75,000 dollar range and NO POINTS DEDUCTION, and NO BAN FROM NASCAR for any races, more or less Forever. I mean, C'mon NASCAR FANS... Are you really wanting Kurt booted for his actions on pit road @ Dover, or just because 95% of NASCAR fans hate him!? I mean, I'd be lying if I said I didn't crack a smile every time Kurt blows a motor, or smacks the wall... But KURT BUSCH makes the sport entertaining. I like his character, and how he's trying to improve his image. For us real NASCAR fans though, the immature days in that 97 Ford will stick in our minds forever. So back off Kurt, Fine Him some $$$ and lets get back to racing @ POCONO. What Kurt did was a stupid error in judgement when he came in.. I don't think he was aiming for that Home Depot pit-crewman...He was aiming for the side of Tony's car because he wanted to put his foot through his radiator probably. Anyone up for a Stewart VS Busch on PPV? lol...

Answer 6

I think something should be done to Kurt Busch. Maybe a fine, owner and driver points taken away and maybe suspending him a couple of races. However I don't think he should be kicked out of Nascar. Give him a stiff penalty so he and other drivers will see that Nascar will not tolerate this kind of immature behavior from no driver.

Answer 7

I don't think NASCAR would react like that, an expulsion is just way too extreme right now. If such behavior does continue however, longer suspensions will be given, and if that doesn't stop it, then we can think about expulsion.
But I doubt drivers would be willing to push it that far, a 2 race suspension for Busch sounds good to me, that would be enough to knock him out of the top 12 easily, and make other drivers think twice before losing it on the track.

Answer 8

Putting him out entirely would be difficult at best, not that he doesnt deserve it, but the families that depend on him for a paycheck would be the real victims here...I am conflicted, he needs to be punished in a manner that leaves no doubt in his mind that his actions are not going to be tolerated. Then you have to take into fact the sponsor...Miller Lite, they are on that car for a reason, should they be punished, losing revenue in the same way that nascar and the before mentioned people will....what to do? I heard a lot of people yesterday talking about this matter and for the most part they want to see him gone, being honest I would say the same thing if I knew that the people in his/dodges employ would retain their jobs and not suffer (something Kurt obviously never thought of.) Since I know that is not the case, I say suspend him, super probation, fines up the wazoo, and docked points for team and owner.

Answer 9

A ban is way to harsh. I have said I believe 200 points, $200,000 and 2 race suspension would be appropriate. I have no feelings for Kurt either way, not a fan, not down on him either. If loss of points and suspension are not given Nascar would be sending a "Do whatever you want" message.

Answer 10

I don't think that Nascar should kick him out, I do think that they should fine him and penalize him, what he did was the most dumbest and wreckless thing I have ever seen him do, he paid the price for it to, after he did that nascar parked his car, if he hadn't of done that he could have finished the race and maybe could've gotten a few more points, but no he had to do a dumb thing like that.