Kyle Busch is currently undergoing one of the most challenging phases of his Cup Series career. To go 45 races without a win isn’t something ‘Rowdy’ is acquainted with. However, it doesn’t stop him from being a passionate fan of the sport. The Richard Childress Racing driver hammered NASCAR for not being considerate of its fanbase. Not only that, but he spoke on lines similar to what Denny Hamlin had to say earlier this week.

Both Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch are known to be their unfiltered selves more often than not. While Hamlin has criticized NASCAR time and again, Busch jumped on the bandwagon before the race weekend at Daytona. Luckily for the fans, they are bound to be in awe of what ‘Rowdy’ had to say.

Kyle Busch slams NASCAR for being less empathetic towards its community

Over the years, the disconnect between the fans and NASCAR has only increased. While there are several reasons behind it, one remains: how the governing body plans its race schedule. It is no secret how rain has been a major mood-spoiler in the 2024 campaign, disrupting the race flow multiple times. More importantly, it’s NASCAR’s decision-making that has been more questionable.

Earlier this season, fans were left displeased after the Coca-Cola 600 was called off with 151 laps remaining. While many believed NASCAR could have waited longer for the tracks to dry, its decision left plenty fuming. After all, the fans spend a good chunk of money and time to watch a race. As per TicketSmarter.com, the average price for a ticket to a single race in the 2024 season is $174.33.

Unsurprisingly, it is no small amount. While fans invest their hard-earned money, it is a bummer if they are not able to have the best possible racing experience. Luckily, Kyle Busch understands it better than anyone else. While he might not be in his best form, he certainly has his empathy for the fans spot on.

Recently, speaking to Associated Press writer Mark Long, Busch shared his perspective on earlier starts, which was an interesting one. “When you’re in the middle of summer, and you’re at these places with no lights, you got to start earlier and try to get what you can get in for the fans that are there,” he said. His thought process behind the idea was to build in more time for rain delays, especially at a track like Michigan International Speedway, a track without lights. And, of course, he had fans in find, too.

Kyle Busch added, “[Fans] give up their time and their money and their weekends to make it there, to make your show look better on TV with b*tts in the seats.” While Busch did have filters there, he certainly didn’t with what he said to NASCAR next. “You owe it to these people.” It is indeed true that the fans make NASCAR the wonderful sport it is. However, the ruling body hasn’t been as considerate.

While Kyle Busch expressed his views, he spoke about what Denny Hamlin was trying to indicate earlier this week. When asked about starting races earlier and accepting less money in favor of the fans, Hamlin gave a cryptic answer. He said, “Well, this is where the interests of the teams and NASCAR do not align.” While the 23XI Racing owner indirectly hinted at NASCAR focusing more on revenue, Kyle Busch was very direct with his words.

Surprisingly, Busch isn’t the only one with this criticism of NASCAR.

The NASCAR community resonates with Kyle Busch’s plea following the Michigan delay

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NASCAR’s latest Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway was marred by rain and cautions. While caution remains part of the sport, avoiding the rain delays could be feasible. No NASCAR track this century has had more races (5) shortened by bad weather than the one in Michigan. Even the one last Sunday was postponed to Monday, hampering the fans’ plans and schedule.

While Kyle Busch rallied for early race starts, even his Cup Series colleague Kyle Larson spoke on similar lines. After finishing P14 at Stage 1 on Sunday in Michigan, Larson wrote on Twitter, “I miss the 1 p.m. start times from my rookie season…” Even veteran journalist Jeff Gluck voiced a similar opinion. He said, “I understand TV is king. Really, I do. But at what point does this just seem insane? Move the start times up at tracks with no lights. Especially with the threat of rain. Please. People have work and school tomorrow, and they could have seen an official race today.”

Even former Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined in the act. He tweeted, “Mid-afternoon start times. Short-term gain. Long-term detriment”. This comes after he alerted NASCAR about this issue a month ago.  On the Dale Jr Download podcast, Junior spoke about how NASCAR should inspire its schedule from the success the NFL has had.

He said, “I’ve always been for 1:00 starts right after the lunch getting the race going. I feel like people are just coming off of if they’re going to church or just a family lunch or whatever it may be, right after the lunch, BAM! Get the race started. There’s reasons why the networks run it at 3:00 and 3:30, and there’s good reasons why they do it that way. For me, I prefer the 1:00 starts.”

Clearly, the best in the business are in favor of early starts. It is about time NASCAR gave it a strong consideration not only for the fans but for the betterment of the sport.