Kyle Busch: Love him? Hate him? Whatever

Kyle Busch sits on the Chase bubble despite being tied for the Sprint Cup Series lead in victories this year. Kyle Busch, wunderkind of a NASCAR driver, doesn't always leave the best impression with other drivers and fans.

That does not appear to bother him.

"I feel like I've got a lot of fans who like who I am and how I drive," Busch said. "There are, of course, the legion of fans that may not like me for what I say on TV, for what I do on the racetrack or whatever, sometimes.

"That's part of the sport. You can't please 'em all. Dale Earnhardt certainly didn't do it. Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace didn't do it. Jeff Gordon can't do it right now.

"Even Jimmie Johnson, who is probably one of the best drivers on the racetrack as well as off the racetrack, knowing how to handle difficult situations, he gets boos, too."

Busch has a point. But he doesn't always help himself with his actions on the track.

After the Nationwide race at Michigan, he pulled beside Brian Vickers on pit road, damaged Vickers' bumper, went to the window of Vickers' car and said something. That brought Vickers out ready to rumble.

Busch was angry that Vickers had boxed him in on the low side of the track, costing both a chance to win.

Vickers didn't see it as Busch did. The next week, Vickers said, "I feel sorry for him. I'm sorry he lives in such an angry place."

Busch often reacts without considering the consequences, or regardless of the consequences.

"He's putting himself out there in ways to get criticized by the media, fans and competitors a lot," said veteran driver Mark Martin. "What is he, 25?"

Told that Busch is 24, Martin shook his head and said, "He's 24."

The inflection in Martin's voice indicated he thinks Busch has yet to reach full maturity.

"He's got a lot of time to evolve as a person," Martin said. "He's an incredible driver, and I respect him. Don't forget how good he is. That's one of the reasons people take a shot [at him]."

Busch is one of NASCAR's most talented drivers, be it in Sprint Cup, the Nationwide or truck series. Put four tires on it and an engine in it, and Busch can drive it well.

While the Sprint Cup circuit has not gone well for him this year, Busch has run away from the field in the Nationwide points race.

When he's happy and thinking clearly, Busch understands why some call him a real-life Ricky Bobby, the character from the movie "Talladega Nights" who believed that if you don't finish first, you finish last.

"I'm a guy who loves to win," Busch said. "There's nothing else to me but the feeling of winning. It's frustrating finishing second or third sometimes. It's the heat of the moment. It's the 20 minutes from getting out of the car back to the motor home.

"Unfortunately, there are better ways for me to handle it. I can certainly do a better job of that."

Busch's problem this season has been that he hasn't finished second or third often enough in the Sprint Cup races.

He has four victories but just eight top-10 finishes.

He is 14th in points and in danger of not making the Chase. He needs an excellent race tomorrow in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway.

Busch won the Richmond race in May. He came off a late-lap restart and roared to the victory.

Last year, Busch held the lead in points when the Chase began. He then faded quickly.

All his talent has yet to translate into a points title or put him in a dominant position as a driver.

"At times, even he'll even admit he says or does the wrong thing," said Johnson, winner of the past three points titles, laughing. "His emotions get the best of him.

"In one way, I hate to see it, and in another way we don't have to worry about him sometimes because he self-destructs."

And Johnson laughed because he considers Busch a friend.

"I think we all watch from afar and think there are some small changes he could make that could really benefit him in the long term," Johnson said. "Hopefully, he can make the adjustments."

If he does, Busch is capable of winning multiple titles.

"When he gets it right, and he has for periods of time, the guy is on fire," Johnson said. "He's tough to beat.

"As a friend, I certainly hope he can balance it out and really enjoy himself. I'm not sure he's having as much fun as he needs to at this age. He needs to be having fun."