NASCAR Fines Kurt Busch $50,000 for Obscene Gesture & Rant Caught on Video
- Posted on November 25, 2011 at 10:41pm by
Scott Baker
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — NASCAR has fined Kurt Busch $50,000 for poor behavior during the Sprint Cup finale last weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Busch was penalized Friday for both making an obscene gesture in his car and being verbally abusive toward a reporter.
Busch had a transmission problem early in Sunday’s race. As he and his Penske Racing Dodge headed to the garage, his in-car camera caught him making an obscene gesture. While his team made repairs, Busch waited to be interviewed by an ESPN reporter, and a fan videotaped Busch being verbally abusive while waiting to go live.
That video was posted on YouTube, and both Penske officials and Busch have apologized for his behavior.
SB Nation post from 11/22:
The Twitter world is abuzz today about the viral video of Kurt Busch cursing at respected ESPN pit reporter Dr. Jerry Punch as the driver waited to be interviewed during Sunday’s NASCAR race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
In the video, Busch reacts angrily to Punch’s presence and yells about having to wait to answer questions. Punch then walks away and cancels the interview.
The whole situation is very surprising to me – but not for the reasons you think.
Personally, based on my experiences trying to interview Busch, this kind of behavior from him is not unusual at all. In fact, I would dare say the vast majority of NASCAR media regulars have had at least one run-in with Busch similar to the one in the video.
But typically, reporters simply grumble to one another when such incidents occur. Unless a driver crosses the line – as Busch did when he threatened NASCAR.com reporter Joe Menzer after a race in September – stories about media/driver altercations typically aren’t written.
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Comments (89)
OldDiehardNascarFan
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 7:30amI don’t agree with with what Busch did or said, but this guy isn’t a rookie by any stretch, but most of those commenting aren’t old enough to know that. The following is why Penske “keeps” him around:
12 years winnings = $54.3 million
Average winnings = $4.6 million per year
Average finish position = 17.5
Average % completion in the mid 90%
Compared to the “mouth” of all times:
Report Post »Jimmy Spencer Career Totals (1975 – 2006)
Avg. Start = 24.4
Avg. Finish = 22.4
32 years winnings = $19,536,759
TheBeatGoesOn
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 11:51amHey, back off that good ol’ Pennsylvania redneck, Jimmy Spencer! The dang government kept takin‘ his sponsor’s, logos and even gave him heck for smokin‘ Joe Camel makin’ kids smoke ****. Heck, even his Zippo sponsor got burned by gov’t rules. No Camel, no Winston, no fun either! He was man enough to bump the MAN, #3, Dale Sr. when he was knockin’ others off the tracks. Jimmy was/ is a mess, but he was fun to watch! While everyone else was goin’ round in a left turn, for some unknown reason(s) Jimmy would TURN RIGHT…..into the wall! I still think that purple & yellow Camel #23 was one of the best looking cars ever. No redneck so red as one from up north. YEEHAA!
Report Post »Citrus
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 5:06pmI’m old enough to know that Busch has been more successful. I’m also old enough to know Dr. Jerry
Report Post »Punch will be in the NASCAR Hall Of Fame and Kurt Busch won’t. I know that Dr. Punch has revived
Drivers after crashes and pit crewmen after pit mishaps.
He has been reporting on NASCAR activities since 1984. He is respected by all
the drivers and was a close friend to Dale Earnhardt Sr. He was an emergency room Dr. and
Was a Neurologist before he left that field to pursue his original love, NASCAR. Busch’s antics and
Busch himself will be forgotten soon after he leaves NASCAR. On the other hand, Dr.
Jerry Punch will be long remembered as one of the best, if not the best
Pit reporters in the history of NASCAR. BTW, I’m sure Dr. Punch would be the first to
help Busch, if he was injured in his line of work. Even after Busch showed himself not to be
worthy.
BlackAce41
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 5:21pmHe has always been this way it is not the first time… I never liked him and many other are the same way.
Report Post »artistskeptic
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 11:56pmNASCAR already has the image of illiterate, beer sucking idiots and the behavior of worthless idiots like the Busch brothers just pushes the “sport:”( or at least activity) further into the category of trailer-park entertainment for the feeble minded. Why big dollar owners tolerate such behavior is a mystery, there are a multitude of morons who can drive turning left.
Report Post »Lowgo1981
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 8:31amIt is funny you would compare him to Jimmy Spencer. I remember Jimmy punching Busch in the pits one time and then lighting a cigar and driving off in his car. Great video!
Report Post »Square Dancer
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 9:24amDon’t like him or his pissant brother.
Report Post »Thelma Lightspeed
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 6:54amSeems to be a rather ordinary reaction for a human being when things start swirling the toilet for them.
Report Post »richard bensen
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 6:38amBring it back to the south…never could understand why the yankees and californicators want our action…wait..they are everywhere…nevermind…..guess i’ll stick to horseshoes…mmmmmm
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 6:31amReally, we now expect racing pits to be conducted like a high school sociology class? Stick a camera in my face while I‘m working and you’ll get the same thing…reporters need to show respect.
Report Post »Bakko Bomma
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 6:06amlol @ the videos with language we can’t type on here
Report Post »Patriot12
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 4:37amSomeone needs to beat his ass and humilate him in front of millions. After that, he should be banned from racing.
No self control. Why is he allowed to race. If these guys didnt make a lot of money, I could understand but their job is not only racing but pr as well. If this was one occurence, I could understand as well, but its all the time with this wanker……Apology not accepted D**K Head….
Report Post »DonaldH
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 6:23amJimmy Spencer already beat his behind several years ago on national TV after Bush called Jimmy a “has been” and then quickly corrected himself to say Jimmy was actually a “never was” .. Jimmy caught up with him and dotted his eye through the window of Kurk‘s ride after Bush refused to get out of his car and take a real arse kickin’— pretty much ended jimmy’s time behind the wheel of the #41 Target Car….. Lettin Yankees in the sport kinda really stank it up!! Haven’t watched since they dropped the Winston for PC reason….
Report Post »I_CARRY_1_TOO
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 10:31am@ DONALDH I am totally with you, I haven’t watched it or even cared since they changed it from Winston Cup and I was somewhat taken-a-back when I heard they let in rice burners too………that is not “racing” to me
Report Post »thunderbolt1970
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 12:51amI drag race and i want nothing more to do than win and when i don‘t i’m also an ass but any other time i’m the guy that will give the shirt off my back. So he got mad at the reporter so what. When things go wrong 4 99% of the people living they also don’t want to be messed with.Give the guy a break he does race for a living and that sport does kill you if things go wrong
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 1:04amIf it is a sport, how come it is not an Olympic event??? Oh wait, they have synchronized swimming in the Olympics too….Never mind!
Report Post »Miami
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 3:33amHe get millions to stand there and answer questions, suck it up and be a man.
Does anyone pay you to drag race…?
Report Post »Miami
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 12:48amKurt is a moron that does not appreciate the fact that he gets paid a who hell of a lot of money to drove a car. Were thousands would pay to do the same, He‘s a nasty driver that endangers people’s lives and should be banded from the sport.
Report Post »SFsuper49er
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 8:52pmI agree , never liked ether one of them… Both of them have a nasty attitude and think they own the tracks.
Report Post »lejat
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 12:34amBusch is a dusch
Report Post »BluifoxEd
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 6:43pmDitto
Report Post »matinva
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 12:24amThe Busch brothers have become a couple of over-paid, over-rated prima donnas. Get real or get out!
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 12:22amIt seems that if you are a public persona, then you better check for cameras before you wipe yourself. I know that life style with all the paparazzi would cause me to SNAP.
Report Post »grayling646
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 12:21amAh, those crazy NASCAR rednecks…..gotta love’em…. well, not really. He‘s a good example of why I don’t watch any professional sports.
Report Post »grayling646
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 12:22amNot to mention the fact that NASCAR is about as boring as watching cars go ’round and ’round.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 1:02amAnd, that’s different… from BasketBall… How?
Report Post »hialtitude
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 5:25pmAdmitted NASCAR fan here. First of all, the Busch bros hardly qualify as Rednecks. They are from Las Vegas, NV, and both seem to think that the universe revolves around them. They are childish, angry, spoiled brats – both of them. Seems as if something was lacking in the parenting department with those two. I‘m glad the officials came down a bit hard on Kurt and Kyle recently but it’s too little, too late with those two.
Second, these people who claim that NASCAR is nothing but going round and round making left turns make me laugh, and yet I can see how the uninformed might think that. The complexity of the strategy involved is amazing and the last race at Homestead is a perfect example. But I can forgive because they simply know squat about the sport. I know nothing about cricket but I DO know enough to keep my mouth shut when it’s being discussed.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 12:00amThis time it is Busch’s fault!
Report Post »Gnostyk
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 2:07amLOL! Good one!!
Report Post »Thetruthurts
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:50pmThis is one of the reasons I could care less about NASCAR. Anything good about it died with Dale Earnhardt…
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 12:04amThe way things are going
Report Post »thay will be back to
running moon shine again
lukerw
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 12:22amIt was never meant to be a sport… rather, Bootlegger Bragging Rights!
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 2:31amAnd when Mark Martin had the sponsor viagra…my husband about cried.
Report Post »ncstatemom3
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 5:15pmWow, someone that feels the same as me. I am sure there are many more like us. The 3 at the end of my sign on is for Dale. Nothing is the same without him. There was a time when there was nothing I couldn’t tell you about Nascar, now I don’t even watch. Kyle is a jerk. The pretty wife must be hanging around for nothing but the big money because I can’t see anything else she could possibly see in him. His mouth makes him even more ugly than he is.
Report Post »TDOM
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:45pmI have never been able to stand that BOOB – What a baby – 50,000 is nothing for this punk – You watch he will be a jerk at Daytona in Feb.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:39pmI remember the good ‘ole days when a guy named Jimmy Spencer dotted this guy’s eye for him because he was being a punk.
Report Post »Cant steal my joy
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:36pmYou kiss your momma with that mouth. Wow! What an inflated ego. Maybe the fine will get him in line.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:34pmAfter last weekend when NASCAR had Michelle Obama as a Grand Marshall .. I am done with it .. couldn’t care less .. didn’t watch the last two races and will not watch or support the sponsors next season either. I grew up around racing .. and only lived a few miles from one of the NASCAR tracks growing up .. but I am DONE!
Report Post »RaiderNationKissArmy
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:30pmYet another perfect example of why I’m no longer a fan of NAPCAR racing. Go to a major dirt late model race like the Lucas Oil Series and see how grown men race, not spoiled little kids like that made for TV series.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:35pmNot to mention that NASCAR sold out and had Michelle Obama as a Grand Marshall at the final race of the season… yuck .. I am DONE with NASCAR too.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:40pmI just want to see Mark Martin win Daytona.
Report Post »prage2001
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:47pmI have been a race fan since I was 12, I would watch races and get razzed by family for years before NASCAR made the scene in a big way. I have fallen away from the sport due to how over commercialized it has become. Come on NASCAR! Get back to the sport you used to be! A sport for the average guy!
Report Post »My first ticket to a NASCAR race (when I finally moved to Charlotte, NC.) cost me $15 and I was 22 rows up on the start finish line! That same seat isn’t even available without a 10-12 year waiting list and $200 up front!
You want to walk the pits and see a driver? You better know the CEO of a major corperation.
rt elms
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 9:43amThat’s Mr. Brad–kyle busch is an ass-Keselowski to you!
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:28pm.
Awwww did you break your little race car?…..
Did the nasty millionaire have to stand and wait?……
I hope Roger fires your no talent behind…………
Report Post »diablosho
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 8:22amOMG! That was hilarious! “Did you break your little race car” BWAHAHAHAHA!
Report Post »duffer319
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:24pmi understand hes ticked off but theres no call for him to act like a baby i mean thats his little brothers job. i never could like the Busch brothers & now i know why.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:25pmHe’s not acting. He is a baby
Report Post »prage2001
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:30pmI’m Brad Keselowski, driver of the Penski Racing Dodge, and Kyle Busch is an A$$!!!!
~Brad Keselowski, 2010 Bristol driver introductions
Lol. Best driver intro ever!
Report Post »Reeferman
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:22pmI also can’t understand how a man like Roger Penske puts up with his little baby rants no matter if he wins a few races or not. Real class act there little Kurt
Report Post »KingCanon
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:21pmBut oh the ads make such a hero out of him. This guy is a THUG. Must be publicly educated as well.
Report Post »Dirty Harry
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:19pmCry baby. And just when I brag to my buddies that Carl Edwards good sportmanship gesture to Tony Stewart after his win shows how much more mature NASCAR drivers are than NFL and NBA players, the Busch brothers embarass the sport…yet again.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:30pmAnd again, and again, and again, and again, and…….
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 4:11amI wish both of them were gone from NASCAR. Take MOCHELLE with you.
Report Post »Reeferman
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:18pmNever did like the him.
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