The unfiltered, or at least much less filtered, version of Rowdy was on full display on Twitter after the Auto Club 400, and it was terrific.
One of the most common complaints by lapsed NASCAR fans about the state of the sport today is that the drivers don’t show much personality, that they all say the right things all the time and then just rattle off sponsors and that’s it. It’s a wonder, then, that many of these same fans don’t seem to care much for Kyle Busch, because while he plays the heel role most of the time in pro wrestling parlance, he’s basically exactly what they say they want.
You just might have to go to Twitter to get the best Rowdy experience. That was certainly the case following the Auto Club 400 this weekend in California, where Busch was in prime form.
It all started when he was accused of skipping a post-race interview with Fox Sports after he finished the race third. The TV people traditionally do try to get a word with the top five finishers, but there’s no NASCAR rule requiring that drivers stick around to talk to them, and only the top two drivers need to report to the media center.
Complicating Busch’s situation was the fact that his car was briefly held after the race while NASCAR investigated whether his No. 18 Toyota had loose lug nuts (it had only one, which does not bring a penalty). Rowdy started off his tweetstorm by explaining his side of the story.
Another race-another moment in needing to defend non postrace interview. NASCAR parked me at the end of pit road for loose lugs. I then walked pit road the distance back to the turn into the garage and only MRN asked. TV was elsewhere. They had a shot, skipped it.
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) March 18, 2018
There was even a NASCAR person who walked w my PR person and myself and we asked if we needed to go to media center and we were told “all clear”.
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) March 18, 2018
Naturally, that got some of the large number of Busch haters to pipe up, and he doesn’t mind engaging in a little back and forth with them.
Maybe. Just maybe that could happen. Do think that would b cool? So then u and all your keyboard keys can tell me how bad I suck for running top 5 each week? ⌨️ https://t.co/lRSzq0FPuD
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) March 18, 2018
Yup. That’s me. If it’s typical then why should it not just b the normal? Why change? https://t.co/U5C168WXa9
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) March 18, 2018
Damn right they “couldn’t catch up”. I walked right past them and they had 5min to prepare. 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/aIFgX3USuu
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) March 18, 2018
And he wasn’t above throwing some shade at FOX and/or other drivers …
Something to said here. I might just have to agree. 🤔 https://t.co/tP7sbo2EXv
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) March 19, 2018
But it’s probably this tweet that so perfectly encapsulates the point we were trying to make about Busch at the beginning of this article.
So true. I could do one every week and say the exact same positive things and b too boring!! Everyone wants opposite. Brexton going thru this right now. Guess we all never grow up. https://t.co/TdlOpvb1bX
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) March 19, 2018
Yeah, Busch is Busch. Some people like him and other fans like rooting against him. He’s also a real, honest to goodness three-dimensional person who sometimes does awesome things that run counter to his perceived image because it’s hard to so easily pigeonhole anyone, even a famous NASCAR driver.
Next: The side of Kyle Busch you don't always see
But one thing you can’t ever accuse Kyle Busch of being is fake. He’s exactly what NASCAR fans who yearn for some bygone day of driver earnestness are seeking. Just go on Twitter and you’ll see.