Danica Patrick, Kyle Busch penalties: Another fine mess for NASCAR – Sporting News

Kyle Busch and Danica Patrick likely will find themselves poorer on Wednesday for their actions last weekend. Both broke NASCAR rules; both will pay.

There’s a good argument that emotional response is to blame for both drivers’ actions. That won’t wash.

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Danica Patrick and Kyle Busch (Getty Images)

Busch, a man among boys when he drives in the Xfinity Series, assailed NASCAR officials’ credibility on Saturday. Allegations of race fixing are serious, and Busch let his temper cloud his judgment. Not for the first time, it must be noted.

For that, in part because of who he insulted, Busch will likely pay.

Patrick, in another racing incident taken as a personal insult, wrecked in Sunday’s Sprint Cup race after contact with Kasey Kahne. She has a good defense for violating a rule that says drivers must stay in their cars after a crash until help arrives. She doesn’t have a leg to stand on, however, for the action that followed.

For walking onto the track to scream at Kahne, Patrick likely will pay.

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First, Busch. Let’s throw this out: Busch shouldn’t be driving regularly in Xfinity. It’s an old argument, dating back to when Cup drivers were first called Buschwhackers. Later terms evolved with different sponsors of the second-level stock-car racing series. Claim jumpers and now, Signal Pirates.

Oh, the issue has been aired out sufficiently. The pro, according to supporters, is that Cup drivers help bring attention to a racing series that would otherwise lack fans interested in big-name drivers. The con: Kyle’s success is Exhibit A.

Busch is the series’ all-time leader in victories, as well as being the reigning Sprint Cup champion. He has 79 victories, 226 top-10 finishes and 50 pole wins in 315 races over 14 seasons. His Cup record? Busch has 34 wins, 198 top-10s and 18 poles in 395 races over 13 years.

It serves no good to suggest NASCAR limit the number of Xfinity races its Cup drivers enter. Given the sport’s history, it’s a dead issue.

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What Busch will be fined for is violating NASCAR’s behavioral policy. Announced before this season, it governs statements and actions on and off the track.

“It’s an effort by the sanctioning body to improve the level of transparency within the grounds of how competitors’ actions are dealt with both on the track and off the track,” Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations, said in February. “An evolution of the rules … to become more transparent to all participants involved, all stakeholders involved.”

Busch broke the rule summed up thusly: Speak no evil about the sport and its governing body.

An interesting point of view:

Would hope they don’t penalize for radio chatter. That opens up a big can of worms. https://t.co/lIuKC3sQQ4

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) March 23, 2016

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OK, good. Every sport can cover itself with similar statutes. Fixing is a serious allegation, and that’s what Busch alleged. In anger? Yes. With proof? No.

Heard over his team radio on Saturday, dripping with sarcasm: “Debris all over the racetrack and they don’t throw a yellow. I’m just so pleased with you, NASCAR. Thanks. Y’all are awesome. Fixing races. How about … “

Well, that’s pretty clearly a violation for impugning NASCAR’s integrity. Busch will be fined for shooting off his mouth. Though he likely won’t face a points penalty since it occurred during an Xfinity race, Busch likely will face a hefty fine. Not for the first time, he is his own worst enemy.

.@DanicaPatrick was not happy.#NASCARAmerica https://t.co/6VPkWED1oZ

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) March 21, 2016

Now, Patrick. She had pretty good reasons for being peeved at Kahne for wrecking her on Sunday at Fontana. While there is a notion she was at least in part responsible for the contact that sent her spinning, Patrick was on her way to another finish among the field’s backmarkers. In five races, her average starting position of 25.2 fades to an average finish of 26.6.

Kahne took responsibility for the crash.

Feel really bad about what happened today with Danica. I’m glad she was ok! That should have never happened and that was all on me.

— Kasey Kahne (@kaseykahne) March 21, 2016

Patrick needs to drive in Xfinity races for the experience. But driving ability and lack of same have no standing in this case.

Like Busch, Patrick needs to control her temper. Unlike Busch, Patrick will be punished for her actions during a Cup race.

The only question is, which driver will get the more serious slap? Let the debate begin.