**TLDR** — Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s suggestion that Kyle Busch is finally reaping what he's sown struck a nerve, and the numbers prove it. A commanding 45% of 462 voters sided with Junior, agreeing Rowdy has done too many sketchy things in the past to cry foul now, while another 26% admitted it's simply hard to defend Busch these days — pushing the combined anti-Rowdy sentiment past 70%. Still, 24% pushed back hard, arguing NASCAR desperately needs personalities like him to keep the sport alive. One reader called Busch "one of the last real drivers," insisting Richard Childress Racing is killing his legacy and floating a Hendrick No. 48 reunion. Another conceded he was "a punk when he first came into NASCAR, but he grew up." A third cut to the bone: "About time someone started putting him in his place." The verdict? Fans see the karma — but they're not ready to bury Rowdy yet.
Essentially Sports
Apr 24, 2026
Do You Agree With Dale Jr’s Take on Kyle Busch Facing Karma?
45%
Yes, Rowdy Has Done Sketchy Things in Past
206
26%
It’s Hard to Defend Busch Sometimes
122
24%
No, We Need Drivers Like Him
113
5%
I Have a Different Take (Tell Us)
21
462 readers voted
We asked readers to weigh in — 15 shared their take. Here’s what they said:
Reader Reactions
15
tr*yxl@live.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 1:33 PM EDT
by far my favorite driver kyle is what every driver should be. next gen cars suck
ji*lj*n@live.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 1:02 PM EDT
What goes around comes around I suppose. I was really starting to like him the past couple of years, but as they say, he's an old dog that just couldn't keep up any new tricks being nice.
ca***a**1***7@gmail.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 3:04 PM EDT
Kyle Busch is one of the greats,he was a punk when he 1st came into nascar,but he grew up. He is a true wheel man. Childress is killing his legacy. I wud like to see him get the 48 car and finish his career there! Look what Mark Martin did at HMS late in his career! Kyle has some wins left...with the right team! He's one of the last real driver's!
ma***s***n***i@gmail.com
Apr 24, 2026 · 9:31 AM EDT
Hopefully not ,He's a new man see if he goes to Spire keeps this attitude goes out well lol guess we'll see
ed***a***s***0@gmail.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 2:26 PM EDT
Way to go Dale Jr. Rowdy thinks he can get away with stuff and no repercussions. About time someone has started putting him in his place
th**r**l**s@yahoo.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 4:21 PM EDT
Well, finally I get a chance to speak about Dale Jr.!!
fr*d*8*8@gmail.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 2:29 PM EDT
Kyle Busch has a well-earned reputation for hard racing and being abrasive and temperamental. That works when you are successful, but when you are not running well, friends are hard to find. People will take the opportunity to pile on Kyle while he is down. RCR is not bringing strong cars to the racetracks, and there's no chemistry on the 8 team. Kyle must step up to take positive action to lead his team's improvement. Otherwise he will be looking for a new ride which might be hard to find in the Cup series.
sp**4*m**n@hotmail.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 6:53 PM EDT
We need personalities like Bush to keep the sport interesting.
rm***u**0**7@gmail.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 12:56 PM EDT
Although Jr. Can talk some smack about it. Fact is it was true then and seems to be true now. We won't know until Kyle gets a quality ride, although I think RCR is a good team not a winning team. The O'Reilly series team is in very good shape. The Cup team needs prayers at this point.
my***r***w***0@gmail.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 12:42 PM EDT
Every driver in the sport has done a few skitchy things in their racing days. If they say otherwise rhey are liers
rb**g*i*e@gmail.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 12:16 PM EDT
Rowdy is a great driver with a big following He will still win races but seems nit with RCR I did not like his actions towards other drivers But noticed the last few years he is more like a human being than in the past Dale SR was no doubt an Imtimidator but cared about others i think that Kyle has become a driver that actually cares about other drivers but still won't take their crap he has had a chance to crash others to win a race But has not done it like he used to alll in all i believe right now he has bad equippment and i blame that on RCR i have been following Nascar for the last 50 years
to***o**a**5@outlook.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 1:11 PM EDT
Karma is a bitch
mi****l***s****4@gmail.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 7:44 PM EDT
His attitude sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. Nothing about Richard Petty? Michaeldassel714@gmail.com
ed*ie8@rochester.rr.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 3:00 PM EDT
AGREE
01*65*j@gmail.com
Apr 23, 2026 · 3:37 PM EDT
Kyle Busch wants to race and win. He deserves to win. He is a good man.