A life well lived. How many other sports superstars were given the nickname
"Gentleman" attached to their name by fans and peers for their calm demeanor and great sportsmanship? He was a very good man and a helluva driver. RIP "Gentleman Ned Jarrett.
Kyle and I had a really challenging existence for many years. But we luckily took the time to figure out our differences and that was something he instigated with a conversation in his bus around how we each managed our racing teams. I was super eager for us to get on better terms. But it was he who made the effort for that to be possible. We did some media together also to laugh through some of the things we put each other through many years ago. Most recently we had even been discussing him running my Late Model at Wilkesboro this summer. He seemed extremely happy and we had planned to meet up next Thursday to get his seat to the shop. He laughed over the idea of his fans and JRM fans having to cheer in unison during that race.
Kyle was one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. No one can deny that. But he was also a father, a husband, brother, son, and a friend to many. My heart is broken for the Busch family. I will never be able to make sense of this loss but I am thankful that we had found a way to become friends.
Best fix to this Triple Crown debate:
You can run for 2 crowns, The Triple Crown & The Grand Crown
1st Saturday in May = Kentucky Derby
1st Saturday in June = Preakness
1st Saturday in July = Belmont
1st Saturday in August = Travers
1st Saturday in November = The BC Classic