Herald-Times-Reporter from Manitowoc, Wisconsin • B4

4B FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020 HERALD TIMES REPORTER CHARLOTTE, N.C. Kyle Busch is reigning Cup champion and the resident villain of the series. Chase Elliott has been voted most popular driver the last two years and is quickly building a loyal and rabid fan base. Their on-track tussle at Darlington Raceway this week very well might be the start of a new rivalry NASCAR needs. Busch admittedly misjudged a gap and unintentionally wrecked Elliott in what turned out to be the green- lap of Wednesday race.

El- liott crashed, climbed out of his car, waved medical personnel and waited on the apron for Busch to circle the track under caution. As Busch passed, Elliott gave him a long, salute. The tension end there, either. Rain opened up over the South Carolina track moments after the incident and drivers were told to bring their cars to pit road. When Busch parked, a group of El- team members stared him down.

Among them was Elliott crew chief Alan Gustafson, who was crew chief when Busch drove for Hendrick Motorsports early in his career. Busch was informed over his radio he had a welcoming committee waiting for him, and one of his own Joe Gibbs Racing crew members sat on the wall directly next to Gustafson as a de facto body- guard. A NASCAR eventually told all the mask-clad crewmen to get back over the wall, the race was called because of rain and Busch appeared to have a civil discussion with Gustafson. NASCAR once thrived behind strong rivalries but they have lessened over the years into brief feuds or spats. Kyle Busch had an ongoing issue with Brad Keselowski for several years, while Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin both tan- gled with Joey Logano.

Nothing devel- oped into anything like the battles be- tween Richard Petty and David Pearson or how Dale Earnhardt and Gordon raced for supremacy in NASCAR. Busch did not rule out retaliation from Elliott down the road. and I have always had a cordial relationship over the Busch said. known him since he was 12 or 13 years old, been racing with him ever since then, late models, super late mod- els, trucks, cars, all that sort of just made a mistake, misjudged the gap, sent him into the wall. That was en- tirely unintentional.

reach out to him and tell him sorry, tell him I hate it that it Elliott had no comment and there is limited media availability to drivers un- der current health protocols. The series was suspended 10 weeks dur- ing the coronavirus pandemic and re- started Sunday. Kevin Harvick won the race at Darlington, Hamlin and Busch gave Joe Gibbs Racing a 1-2 in race at the same track and the Cup Series is back in action this Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. teammate, Hamlin, said Thursday that Busch handled the fallout best he possibly could. He owned up to it and he knew he made a Hamlin also noted been cut twice by Elliott in the two Darlington races and chalked up the aggressive- ness to drivers pushing hard after the long Chase were to retaliate, you know intentional, right? We all know Hamlin said.

Kyle did was unintentional. Is the score really even if one is intentional and one is not? Probably Elliott was wrecked by Hamlin racing for a win at Martinsville in a 2017 race that led to a heated conversation. Gustafson said he understood explanation but the apology probably would not immediately calm emotions. The Hendrick team believes Elliott was racing for the victory when he was wrecked by teammate. think he intentionally wrecked us but you just get tired of com- ing out on the wrong end of those Gustafson said.

were in position to win that race and Denny was in trouble on old tires. You get tired of getting run over like Busch is a polarizing because of his on-track dominance in all three of national series and a some- times surly attitude, particularly when he win. He often feeds the boos reigned down on him in driver in- troductions and has been known to cup his ear as if to mock the crowd. He celebrates his wins with a dra- matic bow to the crowd, and no matter how successful 209 national victories and a pair of Cup titles Busch found widespread popularity. He has his own rabid fan base called and stopped caring about the haters long ago.

Still, Busch was quick to try to temper the anger of the Hendrick group Wednesday night. never been a very good politi- Busch said. fan base is going to have the hatred to me anyway. I just deal with what I got to deal with. Rowdy Nation will have my back and go af- ter it after As much as NASCAR needs strong ri- valries, and this has the makings for a good one, Hamlin sure retalia- tion from Elliott would be the smartest move.

Chase retaliate, no driver thinks any less of Hamlin said. he does, then that raises your eyebrow more than what Kyle did, in my opinion. think Chase needs to for relevance. We know good, tal- ented and going to win a ton of races. There are times when you always have to race tough, you have to race smart, too.

what wins Busch, Elliott incident could spark new rivalry Jenna Fryer ASSOCIATED PRESS Kyle Busch, pictured, admittedly misjudged a gap and unintentionally wrecked Chase Elliott in what turned out to be the green-flag lap of race in Darlington, S.C. AP keep your next Wisconsin adventure waiting. Whether looking for upcoming outdoor events, the best places to fish and camp, or somewhere to post photos of your latest adventure, bring us along. When the outdoors call, be ready to answer..