Posted on by Jeff Gluck

Brad Keselowski criticizes Kyle Busch’s behavior

Kyle Busch’s terse comments and microphone drop after a second-place finish in the Coca-Cola 600 has sparked an ongoing debate about what the limits of passion are.

Busch said Friday he’s not always gracious, but said the actions are a reflection of how much he cares. In addition, some media columns have also expressed that view this week.

But longtime rival Brad Keselowski strongly refuted that notion on Saturday, saying anger and the hunger to win should not be linked.

“When the media comes out and says that’s a reflection of him having the most desire to win, it makes me want to throw up,” Keselowski said. “Not only is that a terrible message to send to anyone who is aspiring to be part of the sport, that’s a terrible message to send to anyone in general in this world — that (anger) is a reflection of your desire to win.

“When I look at teams and people in this sport, they all want to be associated with those who have the strongest hunger and desire and passion to be successful. That’s natural. And that message (of anger being an outlet for passion) is a terrible message that has serious effects — not just on our sport, but our society. Your desire to win could be expressed in a lot of other ways that are productive.”

Keselowski said the message he would send to his daughter or young people who are fans of his is that anger is “not by any of stretch of the imagination a true definition of the most desire, the most passion.”

“You want to show me desire and passion to win?” Keselowski said. “It’s what you do when nobody’s watching.”

This isn’t the first time Keselowski has weighed in on the issue this week.

Clearly, Keselowski and Busch don’t like each other much. But Keselowski’s comments seem to be going beyond targeting Busch in particular to make a larger point: He believes excusing such behavior will set a bad precedent for young people — drivers or otherwise — in times of adversity.

55 Replies to “Brad Keselowski criticizes Kyle Busch’s behavior”

  1. I’m not a big Brad K. fan, but he’s dead-on correct here. Passion and disappointment don’t require anger and petulance.

    1. Brad has no right to criticize anybody about anything. Biggest pile of????On the track.

      2. I can’t refute the strong evidence you have provided. You’ve convinced me that BK is what you said.

      3. Lol ok Shirley. If it’s ok for Kyle to act like a prick ever week he loses then it’s another drivers right to provide an opinion on it

      6. You’re an idiot…Brad is articulate and well spoken Busch is a miserable spoiled punk!!!

    2. I agree, Brad is 100% right. Kyle is basically the only one that acts like that and to use the excuse I Hate to loose mentality is juat a cover for his actions , thats why Richard Childress got rid of him. Kyle got better after being fired and then JG threatened to fired him, But once again everyone just exceptes it. SMH

      1. He never driver for Richard Childress, it was Rick Hendrick that fired him after he crashed his brother in the Winston All Star Race…

    3. For the first time in my life, I agree with Brad K. Every single week it’s the same old thing from Kyle, some sort of whining, a tantrum, finger pointing or storming off in anger if things don’t go his way. At some point, excuses about how badly he wants to win just don’t cut it. I don’t really care what sort of example it’s setting for the kids, to me it’s about learning to behave as an adult.

    4. Kyle Busch is a bad example of a race car driver, he calls it passion most of us just say he is a punk and needs to grow up. Either way it’s not a message to send to young people today. We have enough drama surrounding our lives. He has always been an asshole so nothing has changed.

    5. I agree with every word you wrote! 100%
      Good on Brad! Anger does not equate passion.

  3. 100% correct by BradK. Neither Brad or Kyle are my drivers so no hidden agenda on my comments. There is no way I would want my friends kids ( I have none) to use KyleB as mentor. But I do admire him and Samantha’s numerous outstanding charity donations and events.

  4. While I am a fan of Kyle’s ability as a driver, and not a fan of Brad, I will say that my dad taught me that, the more water you have in a pot, the longer it will take to boil. He said people are like pots and character was the water.

    1. Good advice. And important to remember not everyone starts as the same size pot, or with the same amount of water, nor reacts to the heat the same way. Everyone is different.

  5. I’m a huge Kyle fan but am getting tired of his act after a race he doesn’t win. Wasn’t a Brad fan but starting to lean that way.

  6. Kyle is simply a poor sport! I would say he’s a bully too judging by the comments he made about limiting his driving in the truck series! Just my 1 cent!

    1. U all need to grow up.thought u allr men.kyle alway been a cry baby .and alway will be.bet after everty race momma give him a bottke and change his diaper.

  7. Brad is right but the racing media plays a role in this too. Some of them won’t condem Kyle Busch’s comments or behavior for fear of retribution.

    Meaning he won’t do interviews for them . But I don’t think the Busch brothers like Bob Pockrass to much anyway.

  8. Idk, I really enjoy the drivers who give the same canned response every week……we had a really good “state your sponsor” “state your manufacturer” today. We just need a little more “state generic car term” and some clean air. It was a good day and onto “state next race”

  9. I’m a NASCAR fan n for a driver like Kyle Bush that has as many young people/kids looking up to him as role model to act like so immature is pathetic. Brad K was right to say what he what he said n’ in due time I’m sure as he (Kyle) keeps disrespecting this sport as well as the people that participate in it there will be more that will start speaking out! He is a parent n’ I would sure as heck hope that him n his wife don’t want their child to act like this

  10. I agree. Just say that it shows he wants to win more than others is offensive to others who want to win and are winning and are better.

  11. Brad is exactly right. Kyle is a professional and, as such, he should conduct himself as one. Instead he came off as a pouting cry baby. He would have been better off not speaking to the media than that display that he showed. He could have expressed his displeasure at the race being a fuel mileage race and he would have been just fine.

  12. Childish behavior has nothing to do with the desire to win, or the frustration of losing. I don’t recall drivers like David Pearson or The King, even Rusty Wallace and Dale Sr. behaving like spoiled 4 year olds when they didn’t win. I don’t think any of them wanted to win any less than Kyle, but had more class than to behave that way. It’s possible to express frustration without resorting to behavior like that.

  13. Bush’s kind of attatude doesn’t represent the Mars corp I’m sure. Brad is more in the line of thinking that I am. I just wonder if the people of Mars/m&m candy want their driver to represent the company like that. I wouldn’t think so.

  14. So it is okay to say…”Kyle Busch is an ass” during prerace introductions. That is far worse Mr. Hypocrite Keselowski. Think of all the kids that heard your baby rant and swearing.

    1. I was getting disheartened to have to scroll through so many comments before someone brought it up, instead whining about an offhand comment made after an hour of gracious ones by Kyle.

      Brad has had far worse tantrums, who has ALWAYS been running his mouth about other drivers. And he most often can’t even back it up on the track.

      How is this any different? In fact, this feigned moral outrage is merely just another avenue for Brad to badmouth someone. Oddly, while Kyle is complaining about track issues, or annoyed at the umpteenth question about losing, apparently everyone is cheering Brad for literally berating and trashing another driver?

      What a flippin’ world of pansies NASCAR fans have become.

      They’d never make it in the 80’s and 90’s, when real men not only called out other drivers, sponsors, and media, but would jump out and beat the crap out of you with a smile.

    2. “Kyle Busch is an ass” said Keselowski on a microphone to a crowd of 200,000 at Bristol, many of them children. Yup.

      I learned a long time ago there are a lot of drivers with uncontrolled emotions, at times it almost seems a prerequisite to success. People seem to have forgotten even the sainted Dale, Sr. was one of the biggest jerks of all time!

      The Jeff Burtons and Matt Kenseths are the exception, not the rule.

      1. BTW, in total agreement about Sr. who was actually fairly hated – dude had an on track rivalry with nearly every driver there was.

        I’ve asked on a few different social media posts: “Name me the time that Sr. almost caused a fan riot out of hate and anger at him.”

        Most denied that ever happened.
        Several said it wasn’t that bad, but couldn’t actually name it (i.e. denied it happened.)
        A few said that was a myth.

        No one has answered it yet. 😀

        Revisionist NASCAR driver history.

        1. Most people don’t even know why Dale Sr. was called “The Intimidator.” They think it was on track, but it was off track! He was always trying to intimidate people, this was the way he showed “friendship.” Shake your hand and try to squeeze the blood out of it. Sneak up behind you and put you in a headlock. Threaten to hit you right before offering his hand. All done with an innocent smile. He was a jerk.

          But I was a huge fan. For the same reason I am a fan of Shrub — what they can do with a car, on the race course at 200 miles per hour. They are like master musicians. Personally, I’d rather have a beer with Dale, Jr., spend an evening with him, become a bud. But in a race? Give me Shrub.

          1. Good God, why is SHRUB some master and others are not? I don’t see it. I actually see a rather fantastic display of people who get the better of him often. You little seedlings still stick to that narrative….Oppps…I got it, sorry. You mean his drop down in the kiddie series…sucks to be you!

    3. I’m also apparently the only one who remembers Dale Jr’s interviews during his four year stretch without a win.

      1. Mary, I do not remember his interviews what I do remember is the media, the sponsors and HMS only caring about T SHIRT sales …the big elephant in the room is HE DID NOT WIN FOR YEARS..and because he was Ralph’s son…and grandson..CRICKETS, CRICKETS, CRICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Disgusting how this sport is run! Not fairly at all! And they still lick his red beard of non production!

  15. He reminds me of the kid throwing a tantrum and crying in the grocery store because he didn’t get what he wanted. That’s not passion. That is a spoiled kid not getting his way. Time to grow up!

  16. After much conversation about attitudes , conduct. Name calling , finger pointing, nothing changed , nothing Now everyone has vented, here’s the plot, most people say they’re the best drivers, and yet only 4 or five AR well known for winning a race. Driving in the middle or the dreary reared of the pack is so boring If a driver races 160 races and stays in the low numbers it’s time to get a job you can handle, thank God a new crop is on the way. HOF driver KyleBusch is the reason NASCAR survives the valleys. 18 the Man

  17. Well, with all said here…possibly M&M sponsors should rethink Kyle as a representative for their product! The big M&M’s artwork on his car is a symbol; candy that attracts hundreds of young people to his accomplishments. His performance, good and bad, and all it entails is a beacon to those who witness it.

  19. It is a maturity thing. Some get it early in life and some never get it. I understand Kyle because I was/am like him. I know I don’t want my kids to be like him/me. He needs to align his temper with his talent. I hope he figures it out in time.

  20. Any diver, i.e. BK, who gets up for pre-race introductions a few years ago and says “I’m BK and Kyle Busch is an ass” (paraphrasing) has no right trying to be the poster “child” for the unscrupulously good in America. That was a multitude of times worse han what Kyle did and Brad said it before the race even started.
    BK’s just responding to Kyle making him look like an ass, or donkey, at the last restart of the All Star race last week.????

  21. I’ve noticed a change for the better in brad since he met his wife and had his daughter. Samantha and fatherhood hasn’t changed Kyle. It’s a shame. Kyle represents M&M’s which means being a role model for children, but what worries me more is him thinking his behavior is ok for his son to see. Passion and desire doesn’t mean having temper tantrums. Brexton is being raised by the wrong example in life.

  22. I wonder what these guys would do if they actually had to work for a living….most drivers these days act like 4 year old kids if they don’t win a board game. Hard to believe a grown man can act like a brat if he doesn’t win every race. Grow up and see how lucky you are.

  24. So he said it’s God’s fault and his son acts like that as well.

    “When my son (Brexton) is 2 years old, I see where it came from — it’s genetic.

    “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. I mean, I can probably get better and go to training and classes and everything else, but I don’t know. It is the way it is.”

    1. God help us all!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a bunch of crap, total crap, total crap! He is nuts!

  26. The media big surprise is totally complicit with this jerks actions. They condone and excuse! The likes of which they afford no other driver? Why? Why? Why? What is he doing that is so special? To my observation nothing sticks out of the ordinary….. Oh except that big pile of crap that allowed a P22 position driver final year long tally, in the “Classics Points” to be a season long “CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! The TOYOTA DRIVER, TOYOTA that just invested heavily into DAYTONA RISING…that it was amazing that the DEBRIS CAUTIONS ALWAYS BENEFITED KYLE BUSCH!. What half season farce, with his injury and his “win” at the BS format of HOMESTEAD that was. Come on…the sheep loved the story that NASCAR AND TOYOTA promoted of the injured guy…and made out to be he dominated for the whole year…lol and fought back from amazing odds…LOL.! As the season long champ! His “Champ” and the Chase, and whatever they call it now..dilute the season long earner..and it is sad for their efforts, team, owners and sponsors. And NASCAR cannot wrap their pea brains around that obvious fact!

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