I think Dale Earnhardt Jr has made Kyle Busch a better driver, don't you??

May be...

I would give more of the credit to Rick Hendrick. I think more than anything Kyle wants to prove to him that he might have made a mistake. In the end I think the move worked out in everybody's best interest.
3 STR8 N 08!!!

Of course Kyle got the better deal. Rick Hendrick's been kicking himself where the sun don't shine since Atlanta last March.

no because kyle busch has a Toyota and dale jr. has a chevy

Just think about it, if this move never happened then who knows how Kyle would have been doing this year. I think the #18 fans should be embracing the #88 instead of bashing him. Like everyone has said, this move has been beneficial for BOTH drivers. I think this has made Kyle more driven to prove what a great driver he is.

i think your right.part of the fuel for kyle busch is the 'rivalry' this year with jr. also i think hes still mad at hendrick for 'letting him go' from last season. i respect both and think both even if being rival have been good for each others driving. look at how well jr is doing this year to compared to last..also kyle busch to.

The move has made both better drivers and that is pure fact, Kyle dominance proves he is a winner and not a whiner, Jr's move proves that DEI had inferior equipment and HMS has better...as for a rivalry between the two, lets keep it real...they are racers and want to win every week..compare to last years performances for both, this year has proven that Kyle is very talented and he stands alone, Jr has proven that he can and will make the chase without the pressure of DE, and yes..4th in points for Jr is 100% better, at least he will make it, most likely not win the CUP..but can run with the others, as for Kyle..we haven't seen the real deal in a long time and now we are!

No bashing is needed for either drivers, they each are very different and have their own styles and personalities..love them both! I say KUDOS to both and let's go racing boys!!!

Yes

I never thought about it that way, but yeah. You're right. Mr. 18 wanted to show HMS what they let go in the beginning of the year, and he's transferred that into a Championship Run. I don't think he'd have as much determination if he had never been kicked out.

They have definitely brought out the better in one another.. As far as KB fans embracing JR fans?! You got a better shot getting Mark Martin to retire, again.

This was something that worked out for both parties. I think there are already fans that have embraced the other driver but the ignorant ones wouldn't understand anyway.

It didn't make him a better driver, it just got him out of that piece of crap 5 car into something he could actually win races with

I think Kyle and his move made him a better driver. Nothing much to do with Jr. He was being let go from HMS before Jr. ever came into the picture. Perhaps more of the credit should go to Joe Gibbs for allowing Kyle to unharnass his talent?

No.

Interesting analysis Lenny. Kyle's a competitor, and always has been.
And your right about no one knowing how he'd be doing this year had it not have happened. Kyle would have at some point had a break out year at HMS. It may or may not have been this calibur of a breakout year, but it was only a matter of time before it happened.

I've never had anything against Jr. and it may have been beneficial to both parties, but realistically, Kyle got the better deal, and I can't pretend he didn't.

I think this might be a bit of a stretch there dude. I do agree that Kyle Busch is more driven to prove himself this year because of HMS kicking him to the curb, but I don't think Junior had anything to do with Kyle's success.

To be honest with you I think it's 2 things in addition to what you said.

1) I think him driving in the Truck series helps. Those truck are real loose. If a driver can get the feel for a loose car then the old saying is "loose is fast" will apply. That's one advantage.

2) Toyota has also had an edge with Toyota's horsepower.

Gibb's has always done a good job with setting up cars. Tony Stewart's championships in Chevy and Pontiac just goes to show that. Given Toyota's extra horsepower, and Gibbs previous success along with Kyle's experience in different series has been the right mix. I said at the beginning of the season that someone who can drive the car sideways will have the best chance for being successful. The COT will not turn and making it loose is how to get it to turn. That has benefited Kyle. Some of the veteran drivers that have been around for a while that has hit the wall hard a few times are scared to get the car sideways.

In the same Hendrick cars though Kyle wasn't as successful as his teammates but he was still a good driver.