What I Heard about Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards last night

I have this passion about racing. Anyone who knows me has no doubt of that. I also have a passion for children (I am fortunate to have my three grandsons within 10 miles of me, although my three granddaughters are 1100 miles away) and I love being with those grandsons. Sometimes my passion for racing gets my heartrate up to where I write things and say things that are in "the heat of passion". Although I admit I don't understand all the ramifications of it, there are even laws that govern crimes committed in "the heat of passion". Basically, from my limited understanding, if you kill someone "in the heat of passion" you aren't charged with murder, but with a lesser charge, if any at all. There are, as you can imagine, very restrictive elements that govern the ability to be classified asa "crime of passion" while there really aren't many restrictions on my mouth or my writing fingers.

I have, verbally and in writing, abused both Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards for actions in their racing personas. I have no problem with confidence, but I do with cocky (not the chicken-suited guy from the University of South Carolina). Both Edwards and Busch seem to cross that lineI (note the "I" in italics) established as the difference between confidence and cocky. I admit I still have problems with that issue with both of those drivers.

But, last night, Jerry Smith on S.T.A.R.S. radio, right here on Racers Reunion, had, as a guest, a young lady with Speedway Childrens' Charities. I couldn't catch her name well enough to spell it here but she was an awesome interview. What she had to say about Kyle and Carl caused me to re-think some of my harshness towards the two drivers. Carl, it seems, is the spokesman for the Charities. I hear that Kyle comes to the childrens' events with no fanfare, no cameras, no press, and no real acknowledgment outside the children themselves. I am impressed, very impressed, and touched by that.

I am aware, having worked for a guy 29 years who represented some of the top football coaches and players in the country, collegite and NFL, that there are Foundations set up by these guys for tax purposes to do "good works" for organizations such as Childrens' Charities. Events such as were described last night by the young lady being interviewed are often "staged" to appear as though there is to be no press release or information about a famous appearance at such things, but that is all a part of the orchestrated effort to foster good images to the general publlic. However, listening to the interview last night, I sincerely believe Kyle Busch does what he does with the Charity out of his love for kids (hardly being much more than a kid himself). So, Kyle, if through some fluke of internet malfunction you should discover this writing, please accept my apologies for all the bad things I've said about you. To be certain, I am apt to do that again in the heat of passion, but I'll always know that you, like I do, care about kids and do what you can for them. I am impressed, Kyle, and will sincerely try hard to get over my adverse reaction to your bowing to the crowd from the door of your car. I will also make a sincere effort to retire the "Duck Boy" label for Mr. Edwards, but no promises on that one Carl.

Tim

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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.


updated by @tim-leeming: 03/13/19 08:07:59PM

well im glad you caught that interview because i too listened to it and was impressed with the way she described Kyle and the kids, So there is good inside that head with the cocky smile in spite of .

Now cusin Karl with his Quackey Mascot ,well you got to understand where he raised up at,because the land over along that river close to his house is noted for being an area of less privileged children and there is where he seems to always go back to and put back into the community, not taking up for his ways on the track but just some facts along that road .

I really like reading things like this, Tim, because I, too, have grandchildren that I'm kind of crazy about........as I'm sure you know, grandchildren can do no wrong. As I have told my son many times when he has told me that I would never have let him get away with that, 'grandchildren are not like real children'. Your comments have caused me to realize that there are celebrities out there who put on a particular face for the general public but who put on a completely different face "behind the scenes". One definition of that I have heard is, "Character is defined not by what a person does but by what a person does when no one is looking". I have heard many stories about generous things that Dale Earnhardt did but insisted on anonimity, I suspect because he didn't want to compromise his reputation as "The Intimidator". I especially like it when I hear stories about celebrities doing good things for the benefit of children & shunning any recognition for such..........this tells me they are doing those things for the right reasons, rather than for the publicity. Although I am not familiar with a lot of the details, I understand that other drivers also do things to benefit children, such as Kyle Petty (who is pretty well known for the Victory Junction facility), but also Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, and maybe others.