Kyle Busch Criticizes Car Of Tomorrow After Winning Debut

Kyle Busch Trashes Car Of Tomorrow Following Victory In Food City 500

None of the “dire forecasts” about NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow (COT) “played out in its debut at Bristol Motor Speedway Sunday,” but “none of its touted benefits — chiefly, more side-by-side racing and a more entertaining show — was evident, either,” according to Liz Clarke of the WASHINGTON POST. The car “was designed to keep drivers safer during collisions, contain race teams’ escalating costs and make the races more competitive and entertaining for fans.” After winning yesterday’s race, Kyle Busch said, “I’m still not a very big fan of these things. I can’t stand to drive them. They suck” (WASHINGTON POST, 3/26). But NASCAR VP/Competition Robin Pemberton said, “I think we were pleased with the first race. We had a couple of hard impacts and it looks like the car did what it was supposed to do to absorb energy. We felt like it was a very successful day” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/26). Busch added, “I didn’t see any real highlights out there. It was just tough to pass. It was kind of boring. ... I said I hoped we win the race and tell everybody how terrible it is to drive. I’m glad we were able to do it” (USA TODAY, 3/26). Busch added of NASCAR, “With this thing, they want parity. They want everybody to be equal. They want the Michael Waltrips to win races. It’s going to happen over time” (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 3/26).

SAME OL’ BRISTOL? USA TODAY’s Nate Ryan writes the race “was tame by the standards of Bristol,” as drivers “struggled with handling and seemed hesitant to swap sheet metal.” But Jeff Burton, who finished second, said, “It was real similar to a normal Bristol race.” Jeff Gordon, who finished third, added, “I’m still not crazy about [the COT], but it’s growing on me” (USA TODAY, 3/26). Dale Earnhardt Jr., who finished seventh, said the COT “wasn’t a disaster like everybody anticipated. It worked out, I reckon. Racing was about the same” (EPSN.com, 3/25). Todd Berrier, crew chief for fourth-place finisher Kevin Harvick, said the COT is “just something that costs money and it didn’t really do anything for the racing” (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 3/26).