In Sonoma a few weeks back Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch were battling for fourth place late in the race when Johnson got into the back of Busch sending him careening into the tire barrier causing him numerous positions and damaging his race car. Johnson immediately asked his spotter to apologize saying it was just a racing deal. With only 17 laps remaining and in 38th it did not look good for the No. 2 car. He rallied to finish 15th. After the race while television crews were interviewing an obviously upset Busch, Johnson came over and apparently apologized himself to Busch.

Afterwards Busch said, “I initially was thinking that it was a pretty tough day out there when you’re running fourth and a three-time champion dumps you. I was so worried we were going a lap down and finish way back there. He said he hit the curb and just launched into us.” Busch then said, “He came over and apologized right after the race. It was just two champion drivers going after the same spot. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but it should have been much better. The pit stops sequenced out perfect for us and we were right on top of it with our fuel mileage strategy.”
Then this past Saturday night in Chicago Busch and Johnson tangled again this time after a double file restart that tightened up the running. Johnson was in the lead late in the race when Denny Hamlin rode Johnson’s bumper moving him out of the way for the lead. With only 15 laps remaining it was a continuing dogfight for position and Johnson was headed the wrong way, backwards. Busch and Johnson were side by side when Jeff Gordon entered the fray, on much fresher tires, making it three wide by going down beside his teammate on the No. 48 car. Johnson slid up into Busch who immediately responded by coming down on Johnson, Gordon just went ahead.
Afterwards Johnson said when asked ‘what happened?’, “I don’t even know. I think the No. 24 (Jeff Gordon) got inside of me and got me loose. He was on new tires. And then the No. 2 (Kurt Busch) and I touched he body-slammed me after that. So, that was the least of my problems. The bigger problem I has was when I was leading and the No. 11 (Denny Hamlin) pushed me all the way through (Turns) 1 and 2 and eventually I lost control of the car and that’s what put me back there. But it was just hard racing.”
Not surprisingly, Busch saw it differently, “I guess it was just a late-race rumble there and we came out on the short end of the stick,” he said. “I don’t know what the problem is with Jimmie and me, but we’re running into each other way too often it seems. It was definitely a by-product of the double-file restarts and what can happen shortly after. Everyone is digging, rooting and gouging for everything they can get.”

Busch reflected on the incident further adding, “We chose to stay out when the 24 and the others pitted for fresh rubber and that’s what probably cost us most. But it was a hard call to make and we tried to maintain our track position. All was well until the 48 split us and put me up into the wall. We pitted there at the end to repair the fender damage and get four fresh tires, but there’s not too much catching up you can do with a green-white-checkered finish like we had. I’m pretty livid right now, to tell you the truth.”
“It’s a great time to have an off week on our schedule,” Busch said.
After a couple years of mediocrity the 2004 Sprint Cup champion has been having a great year and is in the points battle. Some newer fans might forget that he was known for being a hot head that sometimes pushed the envelope too far. I will never forget the late Dale Earnhardt telling him he was ‘number 1’ during the 2001 Daytona 500 for touching Earnhardt’s car at almost 200 mph, a race that cost Earnhardt his life.
While recently the younger Busch brother Kyle has received all the attention for his antics in and outside the car Johnson needs to remember that Kurt has had a short fuse that could ultimately cost them both a shot at the championship. I recall Busch climbing from his car in victory lane at Bristol with a bruise on his face from Jimmy Spencer punching him at Michigan, due to a practice altercation. I recall Busch slamming into Tony Stewart on pit road at Dover. There’s more, but specifics are not necessary. Johnson needs to stay clear of grabbing this Busch by the tail. He will get bit if it continues this much I am certain of. What I’m not sure is if Johnson has it coming for what he’s done on the track to Busch.
During an off week I think it’s time to talk the new restart rule. Drop me a comment and let me know what you think of the Johnson- Busch topic and / or the restart rule.