Busch calls Hendrick a liar on radio show
Quote selected text Published June 14th, 2007 in NASCAR News
On Thursday, it became obvious that the honeymoon was over in relation to Hendrick Motorsports’ signing of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kyle Busch, the driver Earnhardt Jr. will replace next year, basically called owner Rick Hendrick a liar on a Sirius satellite-radio call-in show.
According to Hendrick, he and Busch mutually agreed that leaving the team would be best for both parties. Hendrick also said Busch told him other teams had approached him. A gracious statement was issued in Busch’s name at the same time the press conference announcing Earnhardt’s hiring was taking place. Not so, said Busch.
“Well, you know, this is all brand new,” said Busch. “I hadn’t talked or discussed or done anything with any other team. There had been a rumor that flew around that I was unhappy at Hendrick Motorsports, which was untrue. I was just frustrated with the way things were going, that I wasn’t able to get results. We had been running good and been fast everywhere, but we just had some bad luck and were crashing, and whatever.
“That rumor started, and then after that rumor, it was that I was getting offers from other teams, which, I had never talked to anybody.”
Busch said he hadn’t been given any indication that he wouldn’t be back at Hendrick until Monday.
- SIRIUS taps David Poole and Marty Snider to host daily All-NASCAR morning show
- Earnhardt, Jr to host live call-in show on XM Satellite Radio on Sept. 4th
- John Kernan to host ‘The Drivers Seat’ on SIRIUS Satellite Radio
- Waltrip to host XM radio show
- Villeneuve Launches Scathing Attack on Schumacher

Niiice. Y’know, I actually do believe him. Why would he have any
reason to lie about it? Rick Hendrick, on the other hand, already
lied several times saying he couldn’t take on Dale Jr because he had
a full stable. Now, I figured Busch must have already had a serious
offer he planned to take so Rick decided to jump the gun as well.
This obviously explains a lot, though.
bush to DEI that be good
I personally don’t like Busch, but I believe him. Hendrick is a dirty dirty man. Never liked his team nor him or his drivers, well besides Casey Mears. And about him saying he had a full stable and what not then doing this? It just shows how dirty he is.
I am really not happy with the news jr is going to hendrick. I have been a fan of his since 98 and have followed him since. Kurt Bush is a HELL of a driver for his age and with the right help will be a champion. Bush not being with Hendrick anymore is probley the best thing that will ever happen to him. I believe he was done wrong that is the kind of trash the hendrick org is. I was a jr fan now I am a former fan. Best wish and good luck to Kurt Bush
I am really not happy with the news jr is going to hendrick. I have been a fan of his since 98 and have followed him since. Kyle Bush is a HELL of a driver for his age and with the right help will be a champion. Bush not being with Hendrick anymore is probley the best thing that will ever happen to him. I believe he was done wrong that is the kind of trash the hendrick org is. I was a jr fan now I am a former fan. Best wishes and good luck to Kyle Bush!!!!
I am sorry I am so pissed off about the whole thing I called Kyle Kurt
it’s kyle dummy!
Rick Hendricks is a convicted felon, a thief .. that stole from good people of NC with the Honda scandal. At sentencing time he claimed to have cancer to avoid prison time, then after “house arrest” .. full recovery. Yes I believe Busch, even though I am not a fan. Hendricks is a known liar. I plan to burn my #8 gear .. make room for #20 clothes!
I told everyone I knew that there was no way Kyle would agree to leave
HMS. Nobody believed me. I know my driver. Why the heck would he want to leave a “team” that is doing so well?
I remember that Angelbootz.Got my 20 hat on already.
I am a Jr fan period. It does not matter to me if he is winning, losing, driving for DEI, or driving a Ford. I will support my driver no matter what. If he chooses to drive for Hendrick who has cars winning almost every week then more power to him. Those who are willing to jump ship just becuase of the team he picks are not true fans. You don’t have to like the team owner to support your favorite driver.
Here we go. I didn’t think this would start until after the season. I thought Kyle would “walk the line” to keep his ride through the season and possibly win a championship. Now that rumor that Mark Martin is going to replace him in the 5 before season’s end is going to gain some steam. This is only the beginning, I’m sure Kyle has a lot more to say.
You do that Melissa. You probably pull for him because you think he’s cute.
Yeah, I remember not too long ago, he was telling Jeff Gordon to think of the bigger picture (it’s supposed to be a team win) when he was trying to beat Jimmie. Yesterday, he showed me how not so great he really is. “When it comes down to it, it’s every man for himself.” I am so mad at myself for buying into Rick’s crap, and pissed at him for doing that to fans who adored his great guy image.
Well, now ya know, Kyle.
I still don’t see how anyone would wanna drop Kyle and keep Mears. That makes no sense to me.
If DEI hadn’t existed Junior would have began his career with Hendrick from all of the stories I’ve ever heard.
But… it is hard to come to grips with all of this.
well i think jr is ugly Ben, but i still agree with melissa.. if you are a true fan you will follow your driver.. i like elliott sadler, not my first choice of a driver, but he is a va boy. but i still stuck with him when he left yates. doesnt matter who the owner is, what matters is your driver, that is who you cheer for on sundays, not the owner.
not a kyle fan at all, but that is bs what happened to him.
The same thing happened to Brian Vickers last season. Brian was the redheaded step child of HMS, and was treated like crap and lied to. Seems to be a common trend with Hendrick. Brian did an amazing job in the trucks and Busch series, but Hendrick screwed him in the Cup series, much like he is doing to Kyle. I like both Kurt and Kyle, and they are great drivers. Kurt is a past champion, and Kyle has the ability to become one as well. I think Kyle needs to join a team where he can get his payback…. how about Gibbs or Ganassi? As for Jr. and Hendrick, well, I hate Hendrick, and what little respect I had for Jr. is completely gone…. Hendrick = $$$, and thats all he cares about.
I think Kyle Busch needs to get out of Hendricks and go somewhere else. It’s
ridiculous that Hendrick is such a big a$$hole. It really pisses me off. I’m still upset with Jr for his decision to go to HMS. Idiots. All of them. Jr, have fun cheating, since I guess you don’t have enough natural talent to run with the teams that DON’T cheat.
Kyle is a pain in Hendrick’s behind!! Who in the world wins a race and then bashes the car??? Seriusly I am not happy that Junior is with Hendrick either but..He wants to win You do the math
i’m sorry but was the following not Busch’s words? If so then why would he allow such a statement?
Statement from Kyle Busch Regarding Departure from HMS: UPDATE 2: Kyle Busch, driver of the #5 Chevry in the Nextel Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports and four-time Nextel Cup race winner, will depart Hendrick Motorsports at the conclusion of the 2007 season. The following is a statement from Busch regarding the decision to leave: “We had been working on a contract extension for me to remain at Hendrick Motorsports, but after prolonged negotiations, we mutually agreed that a fresh start was in order. I have been granted a release after the 2007 season. I have tremendous respect for Mr. Hendrick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. It’s where I grew up, and I have a lot of great memories. I kind of feel like I’m graduating. I’m excited about my future, and I know a lot of opportunities await because of what everyone at Hendrick did for me - on the track and off. I still have a job to do this year, and will give it my all - just as I’ve always done - to make sure we put the #5 car in victory lane a few more times before the year is out.”(True Speed Communication PR)
God Bless,
Jason Bootie
True JR fan.
First of all Rob Brian Vickers asked Hendricks to let him out of his contract to drive for Toyota.
up with dale jr! down with kyle bitch!
I’ve been a Jr. fan since he started racing in the busche series. I’m
from Talladega, Al and grew up just down the road from the track, I’ve
been to every race, every year. I don’t agree w/the move to Hendricks
motorsports, as I see many of these people don’t. BUT on the other
hand, he had to do what he felt was right in his heart. I think some
of these people are taking this a bit too far, talks of burning #8 gear
is just ridiculous to me. Growing up in Talladega (or near any other track
for that matter) I was taught to respect the sport that nascar is and has
become. After meeting all the drivers every year from since I can remember,
working every race, you develop a mutual respect for the drivers, as normal
people (that they are). Instead, of bashing Jr for his decision, understand
it and respect it. What would you do in his situation? Your step-mother
wouldn’t give you ownership of the company that your late father built.
Especially when its the only thing you have left of him. It was a battle
that he could continue to fight but never win b/c (i have met her) Theresa
Earnhardt is a very hard-headed, stubborn woman. I support Jr 100% and like
I said before to people, if you can’t support the decision that Jr made to
help better his career, were you ever really a true fan?
What an ungreatful little brat. Who does he think he iss? Rick Hendrick is probably one of the most honest men you will ever meet. And for that ungreatful kid tocall him a liar. Rick Hendrick brought him into Cup, and put up with all his bull. Unbelieveable. Rick Hendrick should just fire him now.
I honestly don’t pay much attention to what Hendricks or what any other car owner says/does. Its based on the driver’s personal opinion of that man/woman. If Jr. thinks Hendricks will be good to drive for, Jr.’s opinion. I am a TRUE Jr. fan. I support his decision for going for Hendricks’s team, even if I don’t think it’s a good choice. But no matter what we fans say isn’t gonna stop Jr now is it?
Alot of these people say that they are going to burn their Dale Jr. stuff. The only reason why that are saying all this is because they want the attention from everyone and I’m not going to give it to them. This will be my last statement on this topic!!
OKAY this is my thoughts, I believe Kyle, becuz i agree RICK is a dirty liar. HE said he had a full house, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN JR is with him and KYLE is out, COME ONNNNNN please rick you dirty rotten convicted LIAR
AS FOR ME BEING A JR FAN always and foremost I HATE CANT STAND the thought of JR being at HMS, but being a TRUE jr fan I WILL STAND by my driver, even tho i will not buy anything of his anymore as long as he is with HMS cuz not one dime of my money is going there,
JR. NO…THERES JUST THINGS YOU DON’T DO. GIBBS? KYLE THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOU. MEARS CONTRACT ISN’T UP THAT’S WHY KYLE HAD TO GO….RICK IS A LIAR OR ATLEAST WILL RECANT FOR $$. THAT ANSWERS EVERYTHING YOU GUYS SAID…AND AS FOR THE WHOLE JR. FANSHIP IF YOU WERE A TRUE FAN YOU LOST THE WILL TO CHEER HIM ON ATLEAST AVIDLY YEARS AGO? IF JR. WINS IN A NEW RIDE THEN RACING IS AS REAL AS WRESTLING. WAS A JR. FAN…NOW NOT~~~>GO DENNY! MAYBE D.C. WILL QUALIFY THATS MY TRUE ROOT!
Jason-
“A gracious statement was issued in Busch’s name at the same time
the press conference announcing Earnhardt’s hiring was taking place.
Not so, said Busch.”
Kyle Busch has so much potential to be more then what he is. He will land on his feet and be fine. As for Vickers, I believe the only reason Rick put up with him was because Ricky Hendrick wanted Brian to drive the 25 and to honor his late son Rick gave Vickers the go ahead. But that 25 in the Hendrick stable has always been a “test” car to HMS and always will be. Mears is going to be getting more of the shaft now that Jr. is on the team. If theres anyone to feel bad for its Casey and anyone else who drives that 25 after.
To All
Kyle was going to get drop sooner or latwer first he messed over gordon a few time. com’on gordon brings the fans to Hendrick. Hendrick will start to run nascar no one will now stiop them they are the super team of nascar and for all yall Jr fans that dont like him anymore yall sorry most of yall only like Jr because of Sr Now Me im a stewert fan but i like gordon maybe now Jr. can win the championship now he got the parts got a problem with what i wrote please email me at mbrand@baudercollege.net
Bubba
As far as I am concerned Busch deserved to be booted, his actions on the track as well as his BIG mouth got him fired. Mark my words in due time his brother ) The other big mouth moron will be fired to. Penske will not tolerate his crap either. Imagine this the busch brothers having their own corp. LMFAO!! They both are digging their own graves. Serves them right. I hate them both for their ARROGANCE and believe me its ashame they both can drive the wheels off of a stock car.
to be honest I dislike Jr. I have always disliked him since the time he started driving. But the best thing for him is to come to hendrick who has 158 wins and 3-4 championships so all of you who say Rick Hendrick is
a liar you can look right over at his trophy wall.
Rick may have lied but that does not change the fact that Kyle has let his team down numerous times. Just ask yourself how long should anyone put up with stunts like he has pulled.
Um, just because he has trophies, that doesn’t mean he’s not a liar.
On several occasions he said “I have a full stable and therefore can’t
hire Junior.” And look where we are now.
Atleast you’re an open-minded fan as far as Jr signing with Hendrick,
though, and I give you credit for that.
Oh, and I’m not sure of the exact count but I know Gordon has 4,
Johnson has one, and Terry Labonte had 2. Anybody know how many
championships they have, actually? That’s one stat I’m not clear on.
I wish everyone in this world could become a saint by having a trophy wall. *rolls eyes*
I believe that have a total of 6. 4 Gordon, 1 Labonte and 1 Johnson. Labonte won his first in 85 before he was with Hendrick.
wow im so happy all the poor pathetic band wagon jr fans are leaving
now we can have the true jr fan nation prosper…yall really are pathetic
o im not gonna watch him any more he isnt my favorite driver any more
because he just made the best decision of his life and will prolly end his
career with at least 2 championships…..HAHA DONT LET THE BIG RED BUD
DOOR HIT YOUR ASS ON THE WAY OUT…you wont be missed
Mike, Labonte’s first was in 84 when he drove the 44 for Billy Hagan. But otherwise 6 is the count for HMS so far.
how can u say he faked cancer…he was diagnosed with leukemia in 1996…
he wasnt put on trial for the car fraud incident until 1997 so get your
facts strait before u critize a hard working man…he didnt make any money
he gave hundreds of thousads of dollars to different companies who wanted
in on the demand for hondas…god people are pathetic…blame whoever they
can find…kyle busch and kurt busch are both liars and cheaters…they
both should be banned from nascar (all forms) and forced to race go-karts
against 10 year olds…yea hedrick prolly lied to him…but really can you
blame the guy…ol kyle busch isnt the nicest calmest or easist to get
along with…and i kno from experience…i met him at texas last year
and he totally blew off my 10 year old brother for an autograph while he
was still sitting at the booth…yea what a guy…we need more like him to
finally bring nascar to the pits
Better to rant & rave here than at the track with cans…..
Good-bye………..
cont.
dalejr4life, there are more of us than them………
that is true
That’s ood, cuz we met him at Watkins and he was about on the verge
of tears from a horrendous qualifying run, and still signed a good
fifty autographs. You’re right, “blame anybody you can”. Perhaps you
caught him on a bad day and judged him too quick?
He didn’t fake cancer, but from what I’ve come to understand he DID
use it to his advantage. Unfortunately I don’t know much about that
whole situation;; I was even ten years old yet.
And yes I can blame the guy. He was bleating on about sponsor obligations
and contracts and all that bulls__t, yet here he is forcing a strong
up-and-coming talent out of one of his cars. Now, I’ve been a Dale
Jr fan since he was in the Busch series and I’m happy he’s got a great
ride lined up, but that’s still just wrong.
You know so many people hate the Busch boys or hate Stewart or Gordon (either one) brcause of the way they act. But , if everyone was quiet and calm like Kenseth or Tuex Jr. , what would we have to talk about? I’ve met most drivers at least once and they were all pretty nice , except Rusty never shows up to sign after you wait in line for hours. I say tape Kyles mouth shut , put him in a Gibbs car and watch him win a championship.
your right it is wrong…i will be the first to admit that nascar is all
about the bucks now…thats the main reason sterling marlin was let go
from the silver bullet….why kyle busch is gone from hendrick and
probably why jj yeley wont be with joe gibbs much longer….but there are
some decent people out there “i hope”…yes hendrick is the dirtiest
player in the game but look at the success that came from it…and of
course he used it to his advantage…it took 3 years to get rid of it…
would u want to go to prison with leukemia i kno i wouldnt…best of luck
to the busch brothers in the youngster go-kart class….GO STERLING MARLIN….
he signed like a thousand autographs at Dega last year and still had the
time to stop look at the camera and smile for a nice picture that will
last forever…if only there were more drivers like him mark martin, jeff
burton, and joe nemecheck….they might not win a lot of races but they
are still the nicest guys in the sport
Jarrod thanks for the correction, I knew it was either 84 or 85 but for some reason I thought 85.
I am so happy kyle “shurbby BUsch is out and the Jr. is in i was hopeing this day would come some time soon.
boo hoo, busch is not a good driver like his bro, they both suck. yeah hendrick did say his stable was full but hey mears is been dooing good this year even though hes bent some fenders on his cars. busch has totalled numerous, anywaysm busch is a bigg baby and leavre my boy jeff gordon out of it because he’s not in the headlines. bushc has just screwed himself over by calling hendrick a liar, bye bye busch.
P.s. HMS # of championships are 4 for jeff gordon, 1 for jimmie johnson, amnd 2 for labonte.
It will be sad to see Kyle leave Hendrick. I could always count on seeing him spin out at some point in the race. Maybe he’ll decide to go with a ford team and race better cars.
Rick Hendrick is a P.O.S. How many drivers careers has he kicked to the curb just to benefit his organization? Well let’s see…Ken Schrade, Bill Elliott, Ricky Craven, Brian Vickers, Jerry Nadeau, Joe Nemecheck, now Kyle Busch…the man only cares about his pocketbook nothing else!
Breanna- At the time Kyle Busch was in the process of recieving a contract extension, however these negotionations broke down around the Charlotte race allowing Rick Hendrick to seek another driver aka Dale Jr.
I dont see where this negative Hendrick stuff is coming from. Yes he has had a few rough patche (Honda scandel) but he is truley an honest guy. Dale Jr even said it, Rick was willing tocome over and help him start his own Cup operation. I also find it rediculous that you judge a person you only read about in the media.
Just because he said he said he had a full stable doesn’t make him a liar. The other owners were saying things regarding the Junior situation which weren’t totally true either, even Childress. That’s big business for ya.
What makes Hendrick a liar is bribing Honda and laundering money to steal dealership contracts… Also faking the extent of disease if you ask me… “I have three years to live.” That’s some hardcore sh*t. He did what he had to do. So, no one can say he’s the most honest man in racing. He’s just doing what he has to do to survive and be successful. Maybe not in the most respectable way, but he got struck down severely in 2004 for his misdeads.
Darrel Wlatrip on his column on Foxsports.com-
Rick Hendrick is fair, honest, dedicated and passionate, and that’s the kind of owner with whom you want to be involved. You want somebody that’s going to give you every opportunity to win races and championships.
You know what i think is funny… why are athletes so easy to be torn apart for making career moves??? So Jr went to hendricks, whether it was to make a bigger paycheck or not does make any kind of difference, if he performs better, kudos! I just felt like asking because it seems funny to me that people are bashing him now and burning their stuff, when noone would ever think of being mad at someone they actually know for making a career move… you’ll never be talking to somebody at a bar or something and here the words “oh did you hear about jim… ya they promoted him to manager. he did it for the pay raise and i hate shopping over there at those stores anyway… i’m burning that picture of me and him at the lake.” Now dont get me wrong the differences in everyday pay and driver pay are outrageous… but what the hell? If your boss gives you a raise and a better office/position/set of reponsibilities are you going to say no? i know i’m not going to and i can’t blaim JR for making the move either. A part of the JR nation i am now, and will be next year as well.
I think the more Kyle Busch opens his mouth or crashes out in the race we see why Roush sent him packing. He spotted a problem child from the start and he seems to have that big head syndrome. I think Jr’s move to HMS is a really bad idea BUT … if there is no contract yet just a verbal agreement he can get the fan feedback & find out that people are pissed and move on SO MAKE SOME NOISE about it being a bad idea. My wife has already said she will cheer for Stewart now if this happens with Jr. He needs to be with JGR or Childress he needs a father type figure to guide him not a pick pocket.
Big Earl Racing, Hendrick only has won 6 championships. Labonte only won 1 while with Hendrick. Look it up at wikipedia.
Kyle is a pansey! He gets mad and leaves the track. thats when he sealed the deal for Hendrick. Not too mention the fact after he won in the COT, he degrades it. He is just an immature punk. He deserves to go to Gibbs and hang out with the girls there!
Suprising I am not suprised to see Kyle busch going, I mean the first domino that fell was walking out on the team for a race was over, that is like if one of us walked out before our shift was over. Usually you need the boss’s premission to leave the job and kyle just did not do that stormed off. Not to mention he blown off the media each time he has crahsed this year. I mean if he does not feel responsible for the crash why storm off? and not to mention bashed the COT, no worries i think its a piece of junk too, but a normal driver would have been fined in victory lane bashing nascar like that, Tony stewert did so what was the difference in that. anyways not saying he is bad drive I am sure he is a great talent he is just got a lot of growing up to do, i think you could of still used a year or two extra in the busch but the story of nascar is get the yougest driver to the top series quick, most once they get there feel they don’t have to work to keep there job well Rick is poving that you still gotta earn your keep. you may not respect Rick but he is no different then any boss that we deal with in almost every day life, and I honestly do believe they were talking and something happened in the final meeting between hendrick and busch and you get what you see now, and now with this post Busch said it himself he has a job still to do but if he keeps running his mouth like this, he may find that in the final 10 he could follow in his brothers footstep and be sitting out in the final ten no matter if he is in the chase or not.
Nascarfan4life24-Oh yes, it’s so bad to bash the COT when practically
every driver in the garage has at one point or another. It’s a new
car style, there’s things to be worked out on it still. He didn’t like
how it ran even when he won with it;; that says something about the
car, not him.
Andrew-I like DW as much as the next person, but I wouldn’t believe a
word he said about anything like that. He has a tendency of agreeing
with a lot of what Nascar says no matter what.
Joe-It’s not his responsibility to talk to the media when he wrecks.
Ya’ll always says he can’t control his temper. I agree. So you can’t
expect him to want to scream into a microphone and whine, and then
be able to bash him because “Oh look there goes Shrub whining again!”
Make up your minds. If that’s his way of controlling his temper so he
doesn’t say something he shouldn’t say, let it be. And I would imagine
if Hendrick tried to park him for any races simply because they were
in a b__ch fit Nascar would step in, cuz that’s just stupid. And I
doubt Hendrick would want to lose the money a good car and good driver
would rake in for those races anyway, cuz that seems to be what he’s
all about.
Nascarfan4life24 all you do is troll and talk bad about JGR, is there something that JGR has that you don’t? Something you want but cant have thus you need to bring them up and bash them in EVERY thing you post about. Get over it and grow up. You bring nothing interesting to any story on this blog. We get it you don’t like JGR but must you yammer on about it in EVERYTHING?
Can someone link me to a story re: the Honda/Hendricks “scandal”? I live in Texas, don’t know
anything about this……
Mike, Nascarfan4life24 does nothing but badmouth everything and everyone in this business, except
for that candy-ass Gordon. Ignore him, maybe he will disappear!!
Real fans of JR will not leave him no matter who he drives for. Rick Hendick is doing his job by getting the best drivers he can. Jr is doing his job by getting the best cars that he can. Nascar is a business period. DEI is not loyal to Dales Kids and Jr is doing what he has to do.
All these people saying there no longer Jr fans ain’t real racing fans. Your suppose to follow your no matter what. Some years it was hard to be an Earnhardt fan when he was wrecking everybody but I stayed. When he wasn’t winning I stayed. Jr. going to Hendrick I say great. Where finally going to get to see what he is made of. I am not a fan of hendrick but I will pull for jr no matter what team or make he drives because he is my driver. For all the ones dumping him now, y’all better not jump on the bandwagon next year when he starts winning.
HoppyGirllll I noticed that with him. I think hes some Gordon bandwagon jumper anyways. Also if you go to wikipedia and search Rick Hendrick it will bring up an external link with a brief description of his money laundering BS.
You know one thing I’m curious about? All this business about a
“contract deal” on a napkin when Jr was fifteen, but Rick was too
scared to enforce it because of Dale Sr. First of all, does anyone
know if he even actually said it? I didn’t fully watch the press
conference. Secondly, if he DID say it, does anyone really believe
it? Thirdly, if he was “too scared to enforce it cuz of Dale Sr”,
why now? [[Hard to believe, but]] It’s been six years.
thanks mike!!