I feel the need to respond to this one!
The biggest issue that I have with those that want to comment here is the perspective from which they draw conclusions.
As in most all of sports, those with the ability and the brains actually play, participate and perform. Those with only the intellect tend to be coaches/ car owners, etc!. Those without either the intellect or the ability tend to write about it!
Dale Earnhardt drove for me and then I watched him race for another great number of years as he fought his way thru issues like this, he too was accosted by the fans and some of the media in a negative manner, None of whom have spent even an hour on the phone looking for sponsors, no late nights in the shop working on their car and borrowed grocery money spent on tires. All of this was in an effort to arrive at their dream.
I know there are folks on this site that know EXACTLY what I am talking about and none of them have posted in a negative manner regarding a drivers revelation of their emotions.
There is no way of explaining the intensity that a skilled driver must guide and steer throughout his career. Drivers spend a giant amount of time and effort behind the scenes trying to promote their careers, by attracting sponsors and keeping them happy. You never know what contract might be on the line that night as he is racing. A 2-4 year contract might be under negotiation at the time, etc.
In the old days drivers were racing for grocery money, and todays drivers are certainly driving their asses off in response to a sponsor commitment, job security or employment interviews that will affect their families future.
I guess what I am trying to say is that the comments that I am reading are written by folks that I feel are writing from their computer where there is little sweat involved, no time invested in your livelihood, no planning for a life ending incident, or future family support considerations. The comments written are not the result of years of work, effort and desire, determination and certainly not from any pursuit of a dream, but merely the afterthought from a split second observation that occurred several hours ago and are presented probably with a cool drink in one hand as you type with the other. You get to do your talking from the quiet, concealed confines of your home in an anonymous manner.
Compare that to a driver that has spent those long hours and efforts and years of preparation to get where he is, trying to present his talents to the entire world in public, on national television. In the midst of wrestling a very heavy race car, in 140 degree heat, trying to impress his sponsors, provide for his familys future and intently concentrating on his livelihood, an incident occurs extremely fast and he has no ability to review it on instant replay, and all of a sudden some jerk, knowing of that situation still feels it necessary to intrude on a drivers cool off period and asked a question that is intended to provide controversy. He is offered no cool-down time or access to instant replay, and his gut reaction is judged by those at home on the couch in front of a television.
I am not a personal friend or fan of Kyle Bush, but you cannot take away from him that he is winning races at a faster pace that Dale did, and that he is doing it all types of tracks and in different race cars/trucks. That alone creates jealousy in drivers and fans alike.
At any, rate, that is my perspective. You all are entitled to yours as well!
