Aug 10 2008
Five reasons Kyle may not be the 2008 Champion
August 10, 2008 - Today’s win marks Kyle Busch’s eighth in his stellar 2008 season – so far. Joe Gibbs did him a huge favor by recognizing his talent and putting him with the very capable #18 team. And Kyle has responded by leaving the competition in the dirt (or wall) at every opportunity. So much so that by the third race of the season, the race media looked ready to hand him the championship trophy.
But, the season is not over just yet. Four races remain until the Chase, then 10 more to the end of the season. Kyle is sitting solidly at the top of the points standings, but there’s more to prove before claiming the big trophy. In fact, there are plenty of reasons why he may not even get a close look at it – and here are the top five:
#5) The competition. Other top drivers are closing the points gap on Kyle – and they ARE top drivers. The biggest names in the sport are not likely to lie still and wait for their whipping from Busch. They are fierce competitors with championship trophies of their own – the likes of Gordon, Johnson and Stewart. They have sponsors, owners and crew chiefs who want the best from them, and they will do their best to deliver.
#4) Just one bad day. That’s all it takes, once the Chase starts, to lose the chance to win the big one. Unless every one of the twelve Chase contenders has an equally (or worse) bad day, there are no second chances. Just one bad engine part, one distracted rookie driver, or one bad decision is all it takes to have that bad day. Kyle’s enthusiasm keeps him on the edge of the bad decision category in every race, and he’s not likely to change any time soon.
#3) Mind games. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson have already started planting the seeds of self-doubt in Kyle’s mind. And, when Gordon and Johnson speak, the media responds. In this case, their response has been to nurture and water those seeds. Watch for more to come, there should be plenty.
#2) Getting even. Kyle did not get to the top of the points pole with courtesy and kindness. If there is an opening, he takes it. If someone has a fender in that opening, he takes it anyway – seemingly with little or no regard for the competitor’s finish or property. Kyle adopted the bad-boy image early in the season and must recognize that persona comes with a price of karma, juju, or simply getting even. Of course, no professional NASCAR driver would ever be guilty of getting even with another, but there are those “racin’ things” that happen on a track.
#1) Kyle Style. Kyle may prove to be his own worst enemy, just as he has been his best friend, when it comes to his racing style. He takes risks on the track that he has converted to positions, wins and points. So far, it has worked well for him. But, with the combination of the seeds of doubt, improving competitors and the likelihood of a competitor getting even, his aggressive style can turn into the dreaded BAD DAY.
