As NASCAR driver Kyle Busch has yet to renew his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing, many have noticed his less than ideal responses about his future with the team.
Of course, it was announced at the beginning of the season that this would be his last season with M&M’s as a sponsor, but could it be his last with Joe Gibbs Racing as well?
Seems like it…
Ahead of the Cup Series race at Talladega last week, Rowdy cut straight to the point about how he feels about the future with Joe Gibbs Racing, who he’s been with since 2008:
“I’m not getting antsy about it. If it happens, it happens. If it don’t, it don’t. Goodbye… ask Joe Gibbs.”
Joe Gibbs however was confident they’ll get something worked out:
“We’re confident we’re going to get things done. So we’re just working hard at it. It takes a while.”
President of Toyota Racing Development, David Wilson, told NBC Sports he understands the frustration:
“Our vision, Joe’s and our vision, Toyota’s vision, is for Kyle to retire out of Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota.
He is clearly a little frustrated and that’s understandable to a point. Little disappointed that he voiced it, to be fair, but he knows… because Joe talks to him a lot of the time how hard we are collectively working to make sure that we have a place for him for as long as he wants to stay.”
Needless to say, some folks weren’t necessarily happy about the blunt response, including NASCAR spotter, Brett Griffin. Brett, has worked alongside Elliott Sadler, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, and now full time with Justin Haley.
In a recent episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Griffin expressed his disdain for Busch’s comments:
“M&M’s has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into Kyle Busch. They have supported Kyle Busch, they have made him worth tens of millions of dollars. They have afforded him the opportunity to be at Joe Gibbs Racing.
I felt his remarks were negative and terrible towards Joe Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing, and every sponsor he’s ever had while he’s been there. These guys picked him up, offered him a gigantic contract to drive for them.
I did not detect any gratitude towards any of that with what he had to say.”
He also wondered where Busch would go if he left JGR:
“Who can afford to hire Kyle Busch other than Joe Gibbs Racing?”
Noting that Stewart Haas Racing might be his only option, considering he doesn’t fit the “Penske mold,” and certainly isn’t going back to Hendrick Motorsports.
Only time will tell…
