While Johnson may well make more history, winning a fifth, sixth and maybe even seventh title, it is Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. who carry the hope for the future squarely on their shoulders.With interest in the sport clearly waning, with TV ratings and attendance on a sharp decline, it is Earnhardt Jr., the sport's most popular driver, and Kyle Busch, its most controversial and entertaining star, whom NASCAR needs most.They are the two drivers most capable of re-energizing fans and reigniting their love affair with the sport.Earnhardt Jr. has a legion of fans who move the needle when it comes to TV ratings, attendance and souvenir sales.Their interest in the sport ebbs and flows with Junior's fortunes, and he has taken them on a dizzying roller-coaster ride the past two seasons.Earnhardt Jr.'s struggles at Hendrick Motorsports have shocked Junior Nation and the NASCAR world because of the enormous promise and expectations he carried with him to the sport's elite organization..Busch, meanwhile, has a similar impact on fans, though in a different wayHe is the sport's most controversial and polarizing figure, striking a nerve with fans both good and bad.He is the driver fans either love or hate. They either hate his aggressive driving style and brash, sometimes-arrogant demeanor or love his confident swagger and devil-may-care attitude.Whether he's bumping and banging his way to the front, taunting booing fans or smashing guitar trophies, no one stirs the emotions of fans the way Busch can.He is the anti-Junior and the anti-Johnson. Junior's cult-like followers hate Busch because he is the aggressive, take-no-prisoners driver they want Junior to be, eliciting unthinkable comparisons to his famous father..But Busch is also arguably the second-most talented driver in the sport as evidenced by his 12 wins the past two years and the rising star most likely to challenge Johnson and knock him off his throne..Though he missed the Chase for the Sprint Cup this year, Busch showed remarkable consistency and maturity in his run to the Nationwide Series title. Though he dominated the series, winning nine races and finishing second 11 times, he also showed the patience and intelligence of a champion.He vows to absorb those lessons and be a smarter racer in the Sprint Cup Series next year, which could finally make him a serious championship contender.Aside from the sudden resurgence of Junior, nothing could be better for the sport than for a colorful and entertaining character like Busch to challenge Johnson and forge a rivalry with the driver who is his polar opposite.NASCAR needs both Earnhardt Jr. and Busch to step up their games, giving the sport a burst of excitement and energy after four years of Johnson's dominance.They, more than any other drivers, can re-energize fans and give them hope for something.I cannot think of anything else that would put the fun and excitement back into NASCAR like these two rivalry s are capable of. Whats you suggestion on this
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
