Danica Patrick Once Let Rip on Polarizing NASCAR Rival Kyle Busch During a Race: “Now I Know Why People Hate Him!”

NASCAR drivers usually have no love between them when it comes to competition. And the dynamic between them on track? That’s even fiercer. Among them, one of the most fierce drivers is Kyle Busch. Danica Patrick, a fellow NASCAR racer, once spoke about it.

Even though there wasn’t a big-time rivalry between them, there was an occasion when the duo butt heads. Danica, who is now retired, once hit out the driver of the no. 18 car during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race in New York.

Following an incident during the I Love New York 355 race at Watkins Glen International, Patrick got furious at Busch. The race in 2017 saw Busch make contact with Brad Keselowski, unsettling the whole pecking order.

According to a report published by Bleacher Report, Danica was heard screaming out against Busch. She shared, “[Expletive] 18 absolutely [expletive] took me out. [Expletive], [expletive], [expletive]! Now I know why people hate him!”

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Kyle Busch’s take on the incident

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is one of the most polarizing figures in the sport. His attitude of win-at-all-cost has pulled him a lot of critics, while some love his approach. Nevertheless, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver had a different point of view on the I Love New York 355 incident.

Talking about this, the 37-year-old driver stated, “Different people show their emotions in different ways. Unfortunately for me, mine has never been very gracious—and I don’t know that it ever will be.”

“I’m sorry, that’s just who I am. That’s what I was given. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s probably the guy upstairs.”

Ultimately, Patrick recovered from the spin to come home in 22nd position, while Busch finished in a much better position in seventh, and also was the winner in stage 1.

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Both Kyle Busch and Danica Patrick will always remain two of the most renowned drivers in NASCAR history. While the former is one of the most successful drivers to have graced the sport, the latter is one of the most renowned female drivers out there.