“Don’t Put Me in a Box” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Goes Against Kyle Busch as He Sides With the Drivers Amid COTA Wreckfest

Published 03/31/2023, 5:00 PM EDT

So far, it has been a season of late cautions in the NASCAR Cup Series. Without a doubt, they have played a significant role in the outcome of the races this campaign. Because of multiple wrecks, the Circuit of The Americas race last Sunday saw three overtime. It was a messy affair but how healthy is it for the sport? What does it say about the drivers? Well, Dale Earnhardt Jr has the answer to it. Kyle Busch is definitely going to like this.

Earlier this month, two-time Cup Series champion Busch spoke in context with Denny Hamlin admitting to wrecking Ross Chastain at Phoenix Raceway. The Richard Childress Racing driver expressed his disappointment about the lack of respect between the drivers in the garage. However, Dale Jr doesn’t believe so.

Dale Earnhardt Jr disagrees with Kyle Busch’s rant of “respect” concerning Cup Series drivers

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Junior along with co-host Mike Davis tends to bring up some interesting points on their podcast “The Dale Jr Download”. One such scenario took place in their latest episode. Davis pointed out how Austin Dillon’s wreck caution at COTA had more to it than what seemed to the naked eye.

He explained how Ross Chastain stopped his car after being involved in the wreck with Dillon. However, just as the yellow caution was out; he drove off, stayed in the lead lap, and finished in the top five as if nothing happened. Interestingly, the caution was raised claiming Dillon’s car had stopped at turn 1 which eventually hampered his chances of ending the race better.

It is debatable what to make of Chastain’s actions but the things late cautions instigate the drivers to do are unimaginable. Dale Jr had his say on the matter. He said, “So drivers bear a lot of responsibility for the end of that race but I’m biased, I’m partial to the drivers, and don’t put me in that box. Don’t take me to the toy store and tell not to touch anything.”

The 48-year-old explained how expectations take a toll on drivers. Dale Jr said, “Drivers if you want them to be sharks, if you want them to be lions, if you want them to be fearless, if you want them to do whatever it takes, you gotta be careful with the box that you put them in.

“And I don’t know whom I’m talking to you here, I’m certainly judging by what we know NASCAR had to throw these yellows. I’m just saying drivers bear some responsibilities but I also understand when you put drivers in a late caution situation, I don’t know what else I can ask them to do.”

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Dale Jr definitely has his inclination toward the drivers. However, Bubba Wallace had his own way of fueling the debate started by Kyle Busch.

Bubba Wallace shares his inputs on the “respect” debate amid Kyle Busch’s rant

Ever since Busch’s rant about respect among the drivers, the discussion doesn’t seem to end. Recently, Bubba Wallace expressed his opinion on the matter.

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While speaking to the media, the 23XI Racing driver said, “It’s from the top down. We’re talking about the new age but can’t even talk to some of the guys that have been here for a long time, so it’s a lack of respect from the top down. It’s been cutthroat.”

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While Wallace had to say that, his boss Denny Hamlin reiterated Busch’s comments. He thought respect “certainly is lost” and that “things have changed” in the sport. Who do you believe is right here? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Priyank Mithani is a NASCAR writer at Essentially Sports. Since completing his graduation, he has been pursuing a career in the Media & Entertainment industry. With a zeal to write creative and insightful content, he started his journey as a freelancer in 2018.

Edited by:

Arijit Saha