Monday, June 6th 'What If' Question

Believe it or not there was a time when Kyle Busch wasn't always hated. Of course that seems long ago as the Las Vegas native seems to have a bandwagon full of those who love to hate him more than those who love to cheer for him.

When he entered the Sprint Cup Series in 2005 Busch was instantly compared to his older brother and 2004 champion Kurt. More time was spent wondering when and how many races Kyle was going to win that it appeared he was doing OK in the popularity department. Some will say that he was doomed when Kurt started having his own problems and that the fans distaste for him was transfered to Kyle.

However, the boo birds began to really show after one night in May of 2008 which no longer left any doubt who was going to be one of the most hated man in NASCAR. Even though the incident involved only one driver, Dale Jr., Busch gained many haters from all sides. Since then whenever he's been involved in an incident and whether or not he was at fault, the haters have come out in full force and found some reason why it was his fault or how he is the one with a problem.

Whether or not this incident was indeed the start of the hatred or straw that broke the camels back, from one perspective it appears that after Busch left Hendrick Motorsports his popularity went downhill.

Insults are hurled and more and more jump on the anti-Busch bandwagon. If the saying is true that fans love winners, Busch is the one who has broken the mold. If fans are said to enjoy hard nosed racing and a driver who isn't afraid to go at it with someone else, Busch again somehow isn't the one the fans want it from.

No matter what he seems to do all those who aren't fans of his, are instantly against him. They spend as much time cheering for their own driver as they do cheering for Busch not to win. Or, recently cheering the fact that Richard Childress finally did what many have dreamed someone would. He took matters into his own hands, literally, and fans rejoiced.

Busch will never be voted NASCAR's most popular driver. He'll never have fans, besides his own, applaud him for his accomplishments. Or agree with anything that he says. Busch is a driver that is unfortunately going to go through the sport with very little love.

But ...

What If @KyleBusch didn't have history (or whatever you want 2 call it) w/Dale Jr. would he be hated/have as many haters as he does? #NASCAR

@mwoodruff8829 Yes he would still be hated, I have always hated him ever since he got started in this sport.

@JTH88_7 Yes he would still have just as many haters.

@Ryan__OHara I don't think the amount of haters would be as immense, but he still took a shot at Jr after Eury was moved out. #NASCAR

@smokinace88 no I don't think that's why he is hated so much it's the way he treats other IMHO

@cruetten yes. Although the stuff with Jr certainly helped to fuel the fire, KB would be hated anyway--he's just not a likable guy.

@Racing_Observer Smoke is Junior's buddy and was once viewed in the same light. He was punk and was booed -- yet to a lesser extent.

@29TC14 if your going to take Jr out of the picture, you might was well take everyone he's had run-ins with giving a halo

@ronsracing88 Yes, he rubs a lot of people the wrong way and rarely takes responsibility for his actions.

@StrokerAce90 Yes. I used to like Kyle back when he stirred the Jr nation pot, but when i realized he's a jerk to everybody i disliked him. NASCAR's top 3 series competes for TV ratings. They needed a boost so they made Kyle a drama queen. It invites dislike of him. Yes. Kyle is like the kid in high school that keeps monkeying around and tickin people off until he ends up getting a swirly.

@MCs_nascargang I don't think it has anything to do with Dale Jr, just Kyle's attitude and lack of respect for the teams that have to repair all the damage he does

@Miss_Innocence I think people shld realize that @KyleBusch & Dale Jr aren't enemies. If they don't have a problem w/ each other, why do fans