What are the odds for Kurt Busch in 2012?

[AJ Roadster NJ]

I just don't see anyone signing the guy, and I feel like he is simply out for at least 2012 and maybe beyond. What do you think? Will he find a Cup ride for 2012, maybe with one of the lowly teams, maybe funding it out of his own pocket (which is likely to be quite deep)?

[DARKPT]

Speed.com had a writeup on that the other day. He'll get a ride because of his past champions' provisional. He's the most recent champion without a solid ride for 2012.

[John Card]

He'll land somewhere, but will be taking a BIG cut in pay in the process. It won't be a top level team.

[AJ Roadster NJ]

I dunno. I didn't want to tip my hand when I first posted, I wanted to see what you guys think. (John, I always watch what you in particular post because my best friend in elementary school was named Lon Card :))

I think he's out for the season. I think that there is so much sentiment out there against him right now that he'll actually go without for 2012 and maybe forever. The best he's going to get is a fill-in when someone is sick or injured, or a mid-season replacement for someone 1) who doesn't make the grade, or 2) whose checks for the "pay for a NASCAR ride" bounce. If I were a sponsor with $$$ going into a car, I wouldn't touch the guy with the proverbial ten foot pole.

I'm actually waiting for the other shoe to drop. There are so many good drivers out there (most of their last names start with 'R' for some reason) that, if I were Mars, I would be instructing JGR to dump 'Shrubby' poste haste and bring in, say, Reutimann, who I think is highly underrated.

The Busch brothers are two of the best drivers we've seen in recent years, but they seem to share a really bad personality flaw that must have to do with their upbringing. Neither one of them is going to get past that flaw in time to save his career. Neither one is going to get past it in time to save his life.

AJ

[The Stig]

I dunno. I didn't want to tip my hand when I first posted, I wanted to see what you guys think. (John, I always watch what you in particular post because my best friend in elementary school was named Lon Card :))

I think he's out for the season. I think that there is so much sentiment out there against him right now that he'll actually go without for 2012 and maybe forever. The best he's going to get is a fill-in when someone is sick or injured, or a mid-season replacement for someone 1) who doesn't make the grade, or 2) whose checks for the "pay for a NASCAR ride" bounce. If I were a sponsor with $$$ going into a car, I wouldn't touch the guy with the proverbial ten foot pole.

I'm actually waiting for the other shoe to drop. There are so many good drivers out there (most of their last names start with 'R' for some reason) that, if I were Mars, I would be instructing JGR to dump 'Shrubby' poste haste and bring in, say, Reutimann, who I think is highly underrated.

The Busch brothers are two of the best drivers we've seen in recent years, but they seem to share a really bad personality flaw that must have to do with their upbringing. Neither one of them is going to get past that flaw in time to save his career. Neither one is going to get past it in time to save his life.

AJ

I think it was just a matter of time before Kurt Busch began to implode... I also think that Kyle is probably not too far behind. As you mentioned, they both seem to feel that they are untouchable, and can do pretty much whatever they want. For too long they've both gotten away with it, because they have Cup wins or a championship to wave in the team owners faces.

But sponsors pay the bills in NASCAR. They'll put up with quite a lot; until they've had enough. And apparently Kurt's sponsors have had enough of his tantrums and "entitled" attitude. Roger Penske is no one's fool. I think he saw the path that Kurt was following, long ago, and simply gave him the opportunity to hang himself. And in typical "Bush" fashion, He did. All Penske had to do was let it happen.

I'm guessing that Kyle will eventually do the same thing. Diva's tend to self destruct over time. It's a shame, really. They both have humongous talent, and they're letting their ego's ruin their careers.

Here's hoping that this might serve as a wake up call for others in NASCAR who may also take themselves far too seriously. Including Tony Stewart... I'm sorry, but this guy has spent so much time pretending to be the "New Intimidator" that I think he actually believes it.

So with that said, and as much as it pains me to say, I do imagine that someone will come along and give the 40 year old Brat another chance to prove who and what he is (again).

Just my opinion. :cool:

Mike

[riptide motorsport]

Who's Kurt Bush? :)

[John Card]

Personally, I don't really like the guy, but I think he's too talented to not get picked up by someone. There has to be a lower level team out there that needs a good driver to raise their performance level, and as previously mentioned, a Past Champion's Provisional is worth a LOT to a struggling team. Again, with a BIIIIIIGG cut in pay. He's got some mental problems, and so does his brother. But they're fast, so they've gotten away with it. Money and success have inflated their egos and their attitudes. They both need to get knocked down to reality and show some humility for a change.

[AJ Roadster NJ]

Word this morning was that Kurt had been given an opportunity to drive the 43 Best Buy car for Richard Petty (displacing AJ Allmendinger) but turned it down. Glad to hear that, it would have meant that AJ suffered with no ride as a direct result of Kurt's actions. That's bad karma.