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April 11, 2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr.(88) Hendrick Motorsports National Guard Chevrolet SS and Kyle Busch(18) Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) M&M s Toyota Camry talk during practice for the Bojangles Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC. AUTO: APR 11 NASCAR Motorsport USA – Sprint Cup Series – Bojangles Southern 500 – Practice PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon140411001500 April 11 2014 Dale Earnhardt JR 88 Hendrick Motorsports National Guard Chevrolet SS and Kyle Busch 18 Joe Gibbs Racing jgr M s Toyota Talk during Practice for The Bojangles Southern 500 AT Darlington Raceway in Darlington SC Car APR 11 Nascar motor aviation USA Sprint Cup Series Bojangles Southern 500 Practice PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY
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April 11, 2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr.(88) Hendrick Motorsports National Guard Chevrolet SS and Kyle Busch(18) Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) M&M s Toyota Camry talk during practice for the Bojangles Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC. AUTO: APR 11 NASCAR Motorsport USA – Sprint Cup Series – Bojangles Southern 500 – Practice PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon140411001500 April 11 2014 Dale Earnhardt JR 88 Hendrick Motorsports National Guard Chevrolet SS and Kyle Busch 18 Joe Gibbs Racing jgr M s Toyota Talk during Practice for The Bojangles Southern 500 AT Darlington Raceway in Darlington SC Car APR 11 Nascar motor aviation USA Sprint Cup Series Bojangles Southern 500 Practice PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY
Kyle Busch has been known to invoke mixed feelings from fans. While fans have continued to find innovative ways and reasons to hate Busch over time, he goes on doing his thing. Showcasing his ability and skills in the driver’s seat, he aims to rake in more wins under his belt. But has someone ever had a change of heart for Rowdy?
Dale Earnhardt Jr brought out a gem from his treasure chest of diverse experiences. In a public appearance at the popular restaurant chain Ole Red in Nashville, he rekindled the memory of an old friend who switched sides with one Busch move. Dale Jr was accompanied by #48 Chevy driver Alex Bowman and former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Steve Letarte in their interaction with the fans as a part of The Dale Jr. Download’s initiative.
Dale Earnhardt Jr recalls when hate for Kyle Busch turned into admiration for an old friend
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There are uncountable instances of a NASCAR follower having unfavorable feelings toward Busch. In the public forum, Dale Earnhardt Jr reminisced about an occasion when one of his close friends turned into a big Kyle Busch fan.
“But hey, my friend Tim Dugger, who knows Tim Dugger? [crowd cheers] Tim Dugger hated Kyle Busch, but he loved Richard Childress. And when Kyle went to Richard Childress, now Tim Dugger’s a Kyle Busch fan,” said Junior.
Junior’s friend Tim Dugger is a country music singer from the 90s. Considering the massive following of Richard Childress Racing and its over half-a-century-long legacy, it sounds reasonable to support a talented driver like Busch. Busch has repaid the fans and the Childress’s faith in him with 3 wins so far this season.
Letarte then talked about a conflicting experience for a fan that switches sides. He said, “So I had the same conversation and I could see the battle in his head and he’s like woah. He’s gonna be okay there. He was trynna convince himself it was gonna be okay.” Earnhardt added in affirmation, “I’ve seen that battle in a lot of people’s head.”
Well, Dugger did not have anything to worry about. If anything, Busch’s performance has exceeded his fans’ expectations. However, the question remains, why is Rowdy so infamous among fans.
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Why do NASCAR fans hate Busch so much?
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Over the years, Busch has amassed haters and admirers alike. But he has always been bold in standing up for what he feels is right. Often taunted as a sore loser by the fandom, he is no stranger to this amount of hate.
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Nicknamed “Rowdy,” Busch truly signifies the essence of it. He has never felt shy to admit his talent as one of the best drivers in the sport, and probably this arrogance has earned him much hate. He has also never felt any need to ally with any other driver on the grid. Symbolizing aggressive competitiveness, Busch knows that the only goal in the race is to grab a win.
There have been several other drivers with this attribute, including legends like Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip, and at present, Ross Chastain. But sometimes, unbridled aggression can result in shoving another car into the SAFER barriers, and Busch has been guilty of that in the past.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr was himself one of the victims of Busch’s aggression in the past at Richmond. Junior was also the most popular driver back then, due to which Busch was on the receiving end of more flak from the fans. That being said, Busch’s prominence in the sport is undeniable. In every era of the sport, there’s a villain and Busch doesn’t seem to have any problem in taking that title.
