#97-Kurt Busch spent Friday night’s Busch Series race in the scoring tower at Richmond for an inside look at what officials do during a race. Was Busch genuinely interested in seeing how it all works? Or was he just kissing up to NASCAR in the wake of his most recent outburst? “I hope he was genuinely interested,” said Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president of communications. “He appeared to be. I think he clearly understands that his behavior under the conditions at Darlington was inappropriate, was just wrong and especially wearing the champion’s crown.”
Busch was penalized during the May 7 race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway for not lining up in the correct position behind the pace car for a restart. Already frustrated by a first-lap crash that caused severe damage to his car, Busch boiled over about the penalty. He made profane remarks directed at NASCAR officials over his in-car radio, revved his engine in anger after officials ordered him to turn it off and threw a water bottle in the direction of an official standing next to his car. Addressing the media earlier in the day Friday, Busch said, “I’m not there to bend any of the rules. I’m there to abide by them and as the champion to represent the sport.”(USA Today)(5-18-2005)
