Why Couldn't Kyle Busch Win Like This When He Was With Hendricks?

Question

Why couldn't Hendricks Motor Sports get this kind of results out of Kyle Busch last year and in previous seasons?

Answer 1

Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin both have the same Toyota horsepower so Tom Cruise only gets partial credit. Hendrick Motorsports was giving all the good stuff to the 24 and 48 team and letting the 5 car get the used stuff, similar to what's going on now.

Answer 2

There are a couple of reasons.  First, keep in mind that Gordon and Johnson  were the top dogs in the kennel.

But a bigger reason is that Kyle hadn't matured at all when he was with Hendrick.   That immaturity translated into wrecking a lot , making stupid comments and showing a very childish side.  

And in reality, he still wrecks a lot but Kyle's fate at HMS was sealed the day he wrecked the car and walked away and Dale Jr. got in it.  

It's true that the Toyotas and especially those at JGR seem to be heads and shoulders above all others, but it's Kyle's growing up that has him winning. Nobody ever doubted his talent.

Answer 3

Could be Gibbs equipment, could be him just finally maturing to his potential, could be the COT suits his driving style.  The comment about the horsepower of the Toyotas, I do not agree with.  Look at the numbers, how many wins did the bow tie boys have last year.  Now look at the manufacture wins, I think we are just now seeing it all balance out.  Also, Tony and Denny are not "running off and leaving" the rest of the field.  MWR and BDR are not having stellar years with their Toyota power.  Looks to me as if Kyle is just really that good. Kurt said in an interview in 2004, that everyone needed to watch out when his little brother got there, looks as if he was right.

Answer 4

1.  Resources at Hendrick were being concentrated on Gordon and Johnson.  Busch was co-equipment donkey with Casey Mears.

2.  Bad fit.  Horrible fit.  His personality is very different from Gordon (who is a total pleaser) and Johnson (who seems shy).  He is brash, sarcastic, and cocky.  Which leads to...

3.  Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin have also been known to act brash, sarcastic, and cocky.  Don't you think Busch's temperament blends *much* better with theirs?  Steve Addington (his crew chief) seems to be getting Kyle, too.  So now he has a *good* fit.

Answer 5

because he's got a stick up his butt

Answer 6

Alan Gustafson.

Answer 7

The nail has a headache because tom cruise hit it.

Answer 8

maybe he didn't have the right equipment...

Answer 9

He was third man, young, and totally out of the loop.  It took Joe Gibbs to appreciate his talent and to focus it.

By the way, nascar tests show no appreciable difference in horse power with Toyota.  If there was an advantage, why has there been only one other Toyota in victory lane.  Sounds like sour grapes to some of the people above me.

Answer 10

You can give me thumbs down, but I do not think they (Hendrick) wanted him too win last year, they were to focused on  Johnson and Gordon.  In addition, I think there were some bad vibes too.

Also I think Kyle was not 'allowed' to let loose, now he is at Gibbs and look where he is.  I honestly must say Hendrick made a mistake, but mistakes can sometimes be the most beneficial thing for a driver.  Look at Kyle.

Answer 11

Because Lucifer was on the radio every weekend telling him if he was allowed to win or not.  I think he got canned because he wasn't supposed to win 4 races and did.

Answer 12

yeah what tom crusie said

Answer 13

because he wasnt driving a toyota with more horsepower then every one last year

Answer 14

sometimes a good kick in the pants does you a world of good...

Answer 15

Because he's now on a mission, partly to stick it to Hendrick. That was motivation was missing last year.

Answer 16

I believe he had 3rd rate equipment. What he was driving then is what Mears is driving now, and Kyle had much better success than Mears has so far this season while at Hendrick.

Answer 17

Chemistry with the team...equipment perhaps?

Can't help but see the irony in the equipment theory to be honest.....

Answer 18

Because to much attention was being givin to Jeff and Jimmy... I really think Mears is going to do pretty good when he finally gets away from HMS...

Answer 19

Nicky M, I couldn't have said it better myself. Great answer, I totally agree.

Oh, my answer is, Kyle didn't have what it takes...and really "win like this?" Like what? He was losing for 2 weeks straight and getting dnf's. So, he win's this weekend and suddenly he is hot? I don't think so....

I see you're getting thumb's down, thats because people can't handle the truth.  So go ahead with the thumb's down on mine, too. They don't mean a thing to me.

Answer 20

He couldn't because he didn't have a strong enough car. you see jr. now. when he was with dui he wasn''t as good with the 8 car then he now is with the 88 car. so you see that it all depends on how strong your car is.

Answer 21

omg....are yall really saying that hms gave jimmie and jeff all the good cars and that rick told him not to win....and that chevys have less horespower??

1.Rick wouldnt do that because Kyle won four races with hms and he made the chase just like jimmie and jeff..

2.Rick wouldnt gain anything w\telling kyle not to win the races....

3.and Rick was telling ALL his drivers to remember that the chase was their goal...winning was good but that the championship was the thing they needed to reach for.....and after Rick Knew Jimmie and Jeff where going to make the chase...he kinda let them loose...but kyle was never really locked in untill Richmond.......

I think that it is bc.......last year HMS completly ruled NSC...but this year teams are catching up and i think that HMS is having a hard time because they cant really find the setups they are looking for.....but Jr is doing just fine and i think that ppl that are talking c**p about hms and the drivers are just jeolous so back off and go ahead and give me a thumbs down!!!

Answer 22

cuz hendrick gave all the good equipment to jimmie and jeff and gave the left overs to casey and kyle.