Kyle Busch is not holding back. The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion has called the sport’s driver approval system "broken" following controversial entries like Katherine Legge and Helio Castroneves. His criticism emerges amid mounting frustration from veteran drivers demanding stricter standards and more peer involvement in regulatory decisions.
After Legge's crash-filled debut at Phoenix Raceway and Castroneves’ struggles during the Daytona 500, scrutiny surrounding NASCAR's approval process has intensified. Busch, expressing his discontent, stated, "I think it's broken. There can be some who need to be involved, but I do feel like there needs to be firesuits involved ... It shouldn't be suits and ties making the decisions always." This sentiment echoes the concerns of other prominent drivers who believe the current system fails to prioritize competitive integrity and safety.
The discussion began to gain traction before the Daytona 500 and significantly escalated following Legge’s recent entry. Previously, she spun twice during the Shriners Children’s 400 at Phoenix on March 9, crashing directly with Daniel Suarez. Reflecting on this incident, Suarez expressed disappointment: "I was more disappointed in NASCAR than her. It doesn’t matter if you’re a great driver or a bad driver. If you are thrown in one of the most difficult series in the world to be competitive, it’s just not fair." His remarks highlight the sentiment shared by many drivers who are questioning the approval process.
Chase Elliott, the sport's most popular driver, underscored the need for readiness before entering high-stakes races. "We want to make sure everybody is geared up and ready for a race on Sunday, the same way myself and everyone else had to go run the ARCA race at Daytona right before we ran our first Truck or Xfinity race," he said, advocating for more stringent preparatory requirements.
Legge, though branded as unprepared, had some racing experience prior to her Cup debut: six prior NASCAR races and participation in the ARCA event at Daytona earlier this year. Despite this, the approval process allowed her to race cars on ovals where she had not competed since 2018. This inconsistency is what Busch and others have taken issue with.
The scrutiny did not only apply to Legge. Comparisons surfaced about other questionable approvals, such as the disparity experienced by Mike Wallace, who was denied entry due to lack of recent experience on larger tracks, even with 197 Cup Series starts. Meanwhile, Casey Mears, who has not been behind the wheel of stock car since 2019, was authorized to race at Martinsville. These decisions highlight the apparent randomness within the approval process, leaving drivers and fans confused.
Denny Hamlin, another veteran driver, joined the conversation, bringing up the rigorous rookie testing requirements seen in IndyCar and contrasting those with NASCAR’s minimal practice time. "You just have to enter," Hamlin remarked, showcasing just how lax the current approach can be. Some propose very real changes; for example, Joey Logano advocates for mandatory Xfinity Series starts before being cleared for Cup races, indicating there should be benchmarks to meet for driver qualifications.
Busch emphasizes the importance of peer involvement, especially concerning penalties. He reflected on the incident involving Austin Cindric, who was fined $50,000 for intentionally colliding with Ty Dillon’s car, claiming penalties should instead come from driver peers. "You should get penalized by your peers," he asserted.
Veteran drivers invest years climbing the NASCAR ladder; this unregulated entry of newcomers undermines their hard work. “It’s just not fair,” Suarez reiterated, advocating for changes to avoid more chaotic outcomes like Legge’s at Phoenix. Busch suggests forming a panel of active drivers to oversee decisions on approvals and penalties. Without these improvements, he warns the system is likely to remain problematic, risking more incidents where inexperienced drivers face off against seasoned competitors.
Moving forward, the NASCAR community appears poised for change. The drivers' push for accountability and higher standards reflects their commitment to both the integrity of the sport and the safety of their fellow competitors, ensuring NASCAR remains the pinnacle of motorsport its fans expect.
