NASCAR Cup Series

Busch questioned following remark

Published Jun. 3, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Kurt Busch met with NASCAR officials prior to Sunday’s FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks.

Vice president of competition Robin Pemberton asked to speak with Busch after the drivers’ meeting. Busch went to the NASCAR Sprint Cup hauler after chapel. What happens in the hauler stays in the hauler, but it’s likely the discussion involved an exchange Busch had with a reporter on Saturday.

After a heated battle between Busch and Justin Allgaier on the racetrack, the drivers reviewed the chain of events on pit road. Following a postrace interview with TV, Busch was asked by another reporter if he raced differently while on probation. The driver delivered a barb along the lines that probation certainly affected the way he approached the media.

Busch has his supporters in the garage. Richard Childress says he would hire Busch in a heartbeat if there was some guarantee that the baggage remained at the door. No doubt, Busch is one of the top racers in NASCAR.

Busch’s former crew chief Pat Tryson says he never worked with a driver that was more generous to his crew outside of the race car and his philanthropic side is underreported.

The problem for Busch right now is this is a make-or-break year for the former NASCAR Cup champion — and being on probation just heightens the pressure. Busch has to realize as long as he’s in the public eye he will be under a magnifying glass. But ultimately, Busch’s own behavior will determine his fate.