AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Kyle Busch Calls Out NASCAR’s 41st Rule: Is Jimmie Johnson Being Disrespected

Harry Stone by Harry Stone
February 13, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Kyle Busch Calls Out NASCAR’s 41st Rule: Is Jimmie Johnson Being Disrespected

Feb 12, 2025; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

The 2025 Daytona 500 hasn’t even taken the green flag yet, but one of the biggest controversies of the season is already unfolding. NASCAR’s Open Exemption Provisional (OEP)—the so-called “41st Rule”—is under fire, and Kyle Busch is leading the charge against it.

The rule guarantees one “world-class driver” from another motorsport series a locked-in starting spot for the Daytona 500—a privilege that four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves has received this year. But for seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and 2017 Cup champion Martin Truex Jr., who both had to qualify, Busch believes this is a slap in the face.

🗣️ Busch on the controversy:

“You are opening up a spot for someone from outside our realm to be able to get in a show. But you could take away from a Jimmie Johnson making the show or a Martin Truex Jr. making the show…So I disagree with that.”


NASCAR Legends Forced to Qualify—While Castroneves Gets a Free Pass?

The issue at hand isn’t about Castroneves’ credentials—his IndyCar resume is undeniable. However, why does a NASCAR icon like Jimmie Johnson not receive the same respect?

✅ Jimmie Johnson’s Career Stats:
🏆 7-time Cup Champion (tied for most all-time with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr.)
🏁 83 Cup Wins (tied for 6th all-time with Cale Yarborough)
🥇 2-time Daytona 500 Winner

If the OEP rule is about honoring world-class drivers, wouldn’t Johnson qualify? Yet, he had to earn his way in while Castroneves was guaranteed a spot.

Busch isn’t alone in his frustration:
🔹 Denny Hamlin called the rule “desperate”
🔹 Alex Bowman said it “hurts the whole thing”

📢 Kyle Busch’s Take:

“I think that past champions’ provisional like, ‘may the best man win the past champions’ spot’…Those three guys, past champions, that race for that one. Jimmie Johnson or Martin Truex Jr. would probably still wanna be in the race regardless if they were making bank or not. If they don’t make it through a Duel, automatically Castroneves gets it. I don’t like that.”

Busch argues that if NASCAR is willing to expand the field to 41 cars for Castroneves, they should do the same for past Cup champions like Johnson and Truex Jr.


The Bigger Picture: Is NASCAR Undermining Its Own Legacy?

🧐 Does NASCAR risk alienating its biggest stars and longtime fans?
📉 With declining ratings, should the sport focus on protecting its own legends rather than bending over for outside stars?
⚖️ Should past NASCAR champions have a guaranteed spot in the Daytona 500, just like Castroneves?

Share214Tweet134Send

Related Posts

Max Verstappen Contemplates Retirement to Prioritize Family Time Amid F1 Uncertainty
Motorsports

Max Verstappen Contemplates Retirement to Prioritize Family Time Amid F1 Uncertainty

Max Verstappen Ready to Retire from F1 for More Family Time In a shocking revelation, Max Verstappen, the current Formula...

by Harry Stone
May 12, 2025
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Fate: Urgent Quest for Redemption as Legendary Career Hangs in Balance
Motorsports

Revolution Unveiled: Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Struggle Exposed as Vettel Shares Critical Advice

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, shocked the racing world when he made the bold move to join...

by Simon Monroy
May 12, 2025
Max Verstappen Urged to Take Shocking 2026 F1 Sabbatical by Former Champion
Motorsports

Max Verstappen Urged to Take Shocking 2026 F1 Sabbatical by Former Champion

Max Verstappen, the young and talented Formula 1 driver, has been advised by former F1 champion Damon Hill to consider...

by David Castro
May 12, 2025
Oscar Piastri’s Tire Mastery Unleashed: McLaren’s Secret Weapon Revealed in Dramatic Showdown
Motorsports

Oscar Piastri’s Tire Mastery Unleashed: McLaren’s Secret Weapon Revealed in Dramatic Showdown

Unveiling the Secrets Behind Oscar Piastri's Dominance: Is McLaren Really the Key to His Success? In a shocking revelation, McLaren's...

by Arthur Ling
May 12, 2025

Recent News

Novo Fiat 500 híbrido vai ser produzido em Itália e chega em 2026

Fiat 500 hybrid: production expected to start in November.

May 12, 2025
Max Verstappen Contemplates Retirement to Prioritize Family Time Amid F1 Uncertainty

Max Verstappen Contemplates Retirement to Prioritize Family Time Amid F1 Uncertainty

May 12, 2025
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Fate: Urgent Quest for Redemption as Legendary Career Hangs in Balance

Revolution Unveiled: Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Struggle Exposed as Vettel Shares Critical Advice

May 12, 2025
Max Verstappen Urged to Take Shocking 2026 F1 Sabbatical by Former Champion

Max Verstappen Urged to Take Shocking 2026 F1 Sabbatical by Former Champion

May 12, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks
x