NASCAR requires Kyle Busch to complete sensitivity training for use of R-word after race
NASCAR will require Cup Series driver Kyle Busch to complete sensitivity training before the start of next season as a result of language he used that violates NASCAR’s member conduct guidelines. Busch said the R-word, a derogatory term for individuals with intellectual disabilities, when speaking to media members Sunday after a dramatic playoff race at Martinsville Speedway.
Busch was eliminated from postseason contention and was frustrated with how driver Brad Keselowski raced him.
“It’s frickin’ (R-word), man, and so stupid,” Busch said in a clip posted by NBC Sports reporter Dustin Long that was widely circulated. “I don’t understand these guys. I should beat the s--- out of him right now is what I should do, but that doesn’t do me any good either.”
Busch issued an apology on his Twitter account Sunday evening.
“In one of my post-race interviews I used a word I should never use and I want to apologize for it,” Busch wrote.
A NASCAR spokesperson said that the sanctioning body will not fine Busch for the language, nor will it fine Busch’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin for his post-race comments aired on NBC that included multiple cuss words.
“He’s just a hack. He’s just an absolute hack,” Hamlin said about driver Alex Bowman. “He gets his a-- kicked by his teammates every week. He’s f---ing terrible.”
Hamlin advanced to the Championship 4 race this weekend at Phoenix, joining drivers Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and Martin Truex Jr. He was spun from the lead by Martinsville race winner Bowman within the final 10 laps. In addition to Busch, Keselowski was eliminated from championship running after the final Round of 8 race, along with Penske teammates Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney.
Keselowski issued the following post on Twitter Sunday night: “Since some people are copying me on social media with other’s comments I’ll say this in response-I used to get mad when people said mean things about me and respond out of anger. Now I just feel bad for them. For their family’s sake, I have no desire to go any deeper than that.”
Bowman responded to Hamlin’s comments during post-race interviews saying that the spin was unintentional.
“I just got underneath him and spun him out,” Bowman said. “I’d be mad too. I get it. But he’s been on the other side of that enough to understand.”
NASCAR announced its latest ruling regarding Busch’s mandated sensitivity training on Monday evening. The rule book states that NASCAR may fine, suspend and/or terminate membership for individuals who issue communications that “criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, ... or handicapping condition.”
In January, Truck Series driver Hailie Deegan was also required by NASCAR to complete sensitivity training for her use of the R-word during an iRacing session. Deegan told the Observer in February that her sensitivity training was conducted on Zoom over a few hours through The Arc, an advocacy organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said that she found the training informative.
This story was originally published October 31, 2021 at 11:13 PM.
