Busch fans unhappy about Texas parking ticket

Russ Thibodeaux made the seven-hour drive from his home in Breaux Bridge, La., to Texas Motor Speedway. He brought along his 10-year-old son, Taylor, and both were excited about a chance to cheer on their favorite driver, Kyle Busch.

But they weren't in the best mood Sunday morning, walking around the midway and stopping at the Toyota tent. Busch had an appearance scheduled for 10:45 a.m., but Denny Hamlin showed up instead.

Busch, of course, had been parked by NASCAR for the AAA Texas 500 Cup race for intentionally wrecking NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship contender Ron Hornaday under caution on Friday.

"NASCAR cheated me," Thibodeaux said. "I spent good money on tickets, and drove seven hours to watch Kyle Busch race. This is my third year coming, I don't know if we're coming back next year."

Thibodeaux thought about heading home once NASCAR suspended Busch, but decided to stay after having already made the drive and buying tickets.

Thibodeaux wasn't the only fan upset with NASCAR's ruling, either.

"That was his fourth wreck in a row," Oklahoma City resident Sharon Stone said. "How many times can somebody poke you before you poke back? He should've been suspended from a truck race, but a Cup race in the Chase? Seriously? You know, I like the bump-and-grind racing. We don't come out here to watch them go around and around in circles."

Added Dexter Hanson, a 25-year-old from Austin who isn't a Busch fan: "Should he be in today's race? Absolutely."

Busch issued a statement Saturday, and apologized for his actions during the truck race.

In it, Busch wrote: "I understand why I was taken out of the car for the rest of the weekend. NASCAR officials had to act, and I accept their punishment and take full responsibility for my actions." Star-Telegram