**TLDR** — A decisive 50% of 494 fans polled say Kyle Busch blatantly wrecked John Hunter Nemechek and deserved a penalty, while just 37% shrugged it off as a racing incident. Another 10% went further, accusing NASCAR of openly protecting Busch, and 4% offered their own takes. The mood in the comments is sharp: one reader branded Busch a "bully, never held accountable" and a "Dale Earnhardt wanna be," while another argued NASCAR is shielding him simply because he was "smart enough to keep his mouth shut." The minority defending Rowdy framed him as "one of the last real racers left," insisting drivers should sort it out the old-fashioned way. But with half the room calling for punishment and another chunk crying favoritism, the verdict is clear — fans believe Busch crossed the line, and NASCAR's silence is only fueling the backlash.
Essentially Sports
May 7, 2026
Did Kyle Busch Deserve a Penalty?

49%
Yes, He Blatantly Wrecked Nemechek
251
37%
No, It Was a Racing Incident
188
10%
NASCAR’s Protecting Kyle Busch
49
4%
I Have a Different Take (Tell Us)
22
510 readers voted
We asked readers to weigh in — 20 shared their take. Here’s what they said:
Reader Reactions
20
1j*n50@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 4:40 PM EDT
NASCAR is protecting (feeling sorry for) Kyle Busch, BECAUSE he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut (rare for him).
da****a****o****8@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 12:14 PM EDT
There's got to be some action!earnhart said hit me. Once,I'm hitting back! Hit me twice, you're going in the wall !!!
tr***a***l***0@hotmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 12:29 PM EDT
Bully, never held accountable. He's a Dale Earnhardt wanna be.
mi****l***s****4@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 6:44 PM EDT
Personally, I believe the incident occurred well within the allotted time to throw a yellow, why it wasn’t, well, I am no NASCAR. Probably pissed Busch off to start with. ME
gk**e*0*8@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 3:37 PM EDT
Anytime you wreck a Toyota it is justified
sm****b***y***5@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 1:06 PM EDT
This is what's wrong with nascar.
wd**d*v*s@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 12:19 PM EDT
NASCAR has turned into a "soap opera" . What a farce !
cc**0*o**r@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 3:57 PM EDT
Nemechek is a little punk and has a attitude too. He's aggressive and gets in many wrecks. He actually drove for Kyle's truck team years ago so you'd think he would have given his old boss a break and not wrecked Kyle. There's three pedals in those cars as Mikey Waltrip always says. Why not give some space instead of wrecking each other all the time. Maybe the owners should make the drivers fix the cars with their own money and time?? Banging doors used to be comon. Now it's just get out of my way or I'm going to wreck you. As far as Gibbs, he's a spoiled punk. I used to like him. Not anymore.
ma***s***n***i@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 7:35 PM EDT
But he didn't make a threat on the radio and than follow through with it ,
kd***l***u***s@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 5:15 PM EDT
I'm sure both driver's are to blame. Then both should be warned and punished. I think the fine prices are out of control, but this way Nascar gets rich. That should have to stop.
fr*d*8*8@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 3:05 PM EDT
If Busch had managed a top ten finish after wrecking Nemechek, it would be appropriate to dock some of his points. Since his stupid act also harmed his own finish, Nascar should let him off with a warning.
ca***j**g**3@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 9:29 PM EDT
Bush is just a little boy, stomping his foot and throwing a temper tantrum whenever he wants too! And NASCAR stands back & allows it. Why? He's just a jerk!
bi****l***d***1@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 1:46 PM EDT
Busch is washed up and his glory days are gone and he knows it. So he's taking it out on the track and whoever is closest to him when he has a meltdown.
ca***a**1***7@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 7:14 PM EDT
Let them race and handle it like Sr., Allison, Cale, Pearson,and the real racers used to! If the babies can't take it... GET OUT!! Rowdy is one of the last real racers left!
bm*ri*4@hotmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 1:51 PM EDT
Ii don't feel qualified to judge e this. Will leave it to the experts but, I do wish this beakering between drivers and causing crashes ruins the sport for me. Someone needs to lay down some rules to stop it.
wo**y*n*z@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 12:37 PM EDT
I don’t think Busch needed to be penalized. However if not then Preece shouldn’t have been either. This looks bad for NASCAR….
ed***a***s***0@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 12:58 PM EDT
I don’t care what anyone thinks NASCAR has its favorites. Busch should’ve been suspended and put on some kind of probation if he acts out again. He’s gotten away with too much thru the years
be**w*i**r@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 12:53 PM EDT
Not sure why they wouldn't suspend him. Even if the original incident may have been partially Nemechek's fault, its plain as day Busch wrecked him on purpose. Maybe Nascar will put him on double secret probation or something.
gm*ro*n@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 10:13 PM EDT
Busch should have been fined, but the sad part is what happened to Ryan Prease. Nascar car has to keep JGR happy, so Nascar is babing and protecting Ty Gibbs. This driver causes his own problems but not in the eyes of his grandfather, Joe Gibbs.
vr**i*g*1@gmail.com
May 6, 2026 · 1:00 PM EDT
He's an a hole, a whiner and complainer, like his wife.