Kyle Busch demands massive change to “decision-making processes” behind NASCAR driver approval
Two times Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has given his take on the race approval controversy after Katherine Legge’s debut.
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Kyle Busch (Via IMAGO)
Since last Sunday’s Cup race at Phoenix Raceway, one of the major discussions point in the racing community has been drivers race approval process. Last week marked the Cup debut of British racer Katherine Legge, the first female driver to race at the top-tier since 2018. She had a difficult race owing to her lack of experience at the track.
Despite being a veteran in the open wheel and Sports car scene, Katherine Legge couldn’t handle the Next-Gen as many expected at Phoenix and it caused two spins. The second ended her race, as it produced a wreck involving Daniel Saurez. The Trackhouse racer and Ex-racers like Kevin Harvick since urged NASCAR to change the approval process. Now RCR’s Kyle Busch has given his take on it.
The two times Cup Series champion pointed out that the officials shouldn’t be the one making decision regarding the approvals and they don’t have a pretty good track record. He wants NASCAR drivers’ involved in some of these decision making as well as approval process, to ensure such drama won’t happen again.
I also do feel as though it shouldn’t be ‘suit and ties’ making the decisions always. Certainly there can be some that need to be involved, but I do feel like there needs to be fire suits involved in some of those decision-making processes on those that need to be approved or not approved for various activities.
Kyle Busch said via Motorsports.com.
Kyle Busch explains why the system is broken
Being a former teamowner with Kyle Busch Motorsports, the veteran RCR driver has a good idea about the approval process and how sometimes it seems unfair. In the same interview he called the system broken, highlighting how in the past his drivers didn’t get approved while others with less credit got the thumbs up.
Being an owner in the Truck Series and seeing some young drivers get opportunities at different tracks versus my drivers that I was trying to get them opportunities at some of those same tracks getting denied. So, I was very confused, and probably I’m even more confused now on how it all works. I think it’s broken.
Kyle Busch said.
The comments from Busch shows the frustration around the Legge controversy is nothing new and the community had similar feelings in the past. This demands actions from the side of NASCAR regarding approval process that makes it more transparent and efficient.
How to avoid another Katherin Legge situation?
The major reason behind the botch-up from Legge on last Sunday was her lack of experience at the track as well as the car. The best solution to solve this issue is extending the practice session, which something Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out.
Kyle Busch has a similar solution. It is a waiver that NASCAR can give to the newcomers of the sport that will allow them to practice or test their cars for about 4 hours. Which sound reasonable and it also doesn’t put any financial pressure on the teams.
NASCAR can employ the suggestion made by the veteran racer. They can have the waiver with a timing that is sufficient and with rules that allows abuse of it. They also should consider taking the opinions of the racers, before giving approvals to new racers.
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