Age and longevity are interesting things in sports. They certainly make competitors wiser and sometimes they mellow them.
They certainly mellow the fan’s feelings towards them. Maybe it becomes a type of respect as a top driver becomes one of the elder statesmen of the sport.
Think about how fans used to boo Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson over the years for no other reason than; they won a lot. As their careers wound down though, those boos all but disappeared.
Now, we’re seeing some of the same behavior for Kyle Busch. He’s never been one to get a shrug when you asked someone how they felt about him. But, now that his wins have slowed to a trickle and that he’s desperately trying to win for the 20th straight year, the fans are getting behind him in that effort.
On multiple occasions over the last month or so, when he’s gotten to the front (including at Kansas), there’s been an audible cheer from the crowd…the type that used to be reserved for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. or Chase Elliott.
Did you ever think you’d hear the words “a Kyle Busch win would be a popular one”?
Right now, it would.