Busch says he 'meant no disrespect' destroying trophy

GLADEVILLE – In the weirdest victory celebration in the nine-year history of Nashville Superspeedway, Kyle Busch dashed to pieces the $2,000 hand-painted Gibson guitar that is the track’s trademark trophy following Saturday night’s win.

Busch afterwards explained that he wanted to celebrate “rock-star style,” and had told his team beforehand that if he won he planned to smash the guitar.

Busch said everybody breaks guitars “except race car drivers. Those sorry saps take it home in one piece. I’ll break it up and share it with the team.”

Renowned racing artist Sam Bass who spent long hours painting Music City images on the expensive guitar looked on in disbelief as Busch repeatedly dashed the instrument against the pavement in Victory Lane.

Bass said he was “stunned’ but later forced a smile as he posed with Busch and what was left of his artwork. Bass said Busch told him he meant no disrespect.

“It’s been a hard couple of weeks,” said Busch after venting frustrations that had built during a recent sour stretch; strong runs had been spoiled by late-race bad luck in five of his last six Nationwide Series races.

This time he would not be denied. Busch started on the pole and dominated the Federated Auto Parts 300, coasting home well ahead of second-place Brad Keselowski.

Despite his undeniable talent, the 24-year-old Las Vegas native has a knack for controversy that has made him NASCAR’s resident villain. Even before his guitar-smashing antics in Victory Lane, boos were cascading from the grandstands.

Carl Edwards, the only full-time Sprint Cup driver in the race besides Busch, finished third. Busch and Edwards are 1-2 in the Nationwide standings.

“Carl’s still right there,” Busch said. “He’s in the hunt.”

Both Busch and Edwards departed after the race for Pocono, Pa., for Sunday’s Sprint Cup feature.

It wasn’t a good night for local entries. Jason Keller, who drives for Nashville-based Baker Curb Racing, was caught up in a mid-race crash and finished 26th.

“It’s a bummer,” said Keller who had hoped to make a move in the standings but instead dropped one spot, to seventh. “This is my team’s home track and I felt we could complete for our first top-five finish of the year.”

Two other locals, Casey Atwood and Brad Baker, went out in a crash just four laps into the race.

Fourth-generation Nashville racer Bobby Hamilton Jr. came in 14th and Bon Aqua’s Willie Allen 36th.
The Superspeedway this season lost its premier Indy Racing League race and has only one more major event remaining, the Aug. 1 NASCAR truck series race.