There was a time not so long back when Cup Series veterans could participate in an unlimited number of Xfinity and Truck Series races each season. Then Kyle Busch happened. Rowdy was so dominating that NASCAR was forced to introduce a new rule limiting the number of lower-tier races Cup drivers could take part in.
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The ‘Kyle Busch Rule’, as it is popularly known, was discussed recently on X, with fans stating its pros and cons. The predominant opinion was that the rule would ensure the lower tier series met their prime purpose — to nurture young talent.
Busch had indeed run riot before the rule was implemented. He is the most-winning driver in the Xfinity Series (102) and the Truck Series (66). No driver is even close to matching his numbers, let alone breaking them.
“Buschwhacking doesn’t produce talent, it scares it away,” wrote a fan, reiterating the importance of the rule.
Buschwhacking doesn't produce talent, it scares it away.
— Squige (@Squige44) January 5, 2025
Those opposing the rule stated that it has made younger drivers in the lower tiers more aggressive and brazen on the track. That happens when they don’t have a veteran who could keep them in line as they climb up the ladder.
“Yes and no. I mean yes, the young guys don’t want to listen to what the veteran guidance and end up learning the hard way, but if you eradicate the veteran guys competing in the lower series how are they supposed to learn or who can they get advice from? YKWIM?” commented a fan.
Unethical racing practices in the Truck Series may have influenced these comments.
Yes and no. I mean yes, the young guys don't want to listen to what the veteran guidance and end up learning the hard way, but if you eradicate the veteran guys competing in the lower series how are they supposed to learn or who can they get advice from? YKWIM?
— David Whitfield (@DallasDaveVA) January 5, 2025
One fan replied, “Each series will have its own vets when left alone. We don’t need to go back to cup drivers dominating the headlines in all 3 series.”
Of course, upcoming racers trying to prove their talent and catch the attention of the teams in the Cup Series, would lead to fierce action on track.
Is the Xfinity Series producing better races than the Cup Series?
The introduction of parity across the field through the Next Gen car has caused many fans to believe that the Xfinity Series is a more entertaining playing field. Veteran spotter Brett Griffin had expressed this on his X handle last May, drawing a lot of support from the fans.
Xfinity Series = College Football
Cup Series = NFL
From an entertainment perspective….
Saturdays are superior. Sorry not sorry.
— Brett Griffin (@SpotterBrett) November 18, 2024
One person who sided with this belief wrote: “For the past couple of years, Xfinity has put on far and away the best racing out of all three series.”
A largely agreed consensus is that Sundays (when Cup Series races are staged) are just about money, while Saturdays emphasize racing.
Another fan said that bringing the big dogs to the lower levels won’t solve the issue of clean racing and quality.
Logano raced against Cup guys every week in Xfinity, even for championships, and he still managed to piss off Cup guys when he moved up, same with Brad K, Kyle Busch, etc, it’s not a lower series issue, it starts at the local level from watching this past generation of Cup guys.
— Austin (@Austin20997) January 5, 2025
He used the example of Joey Logano to make a case that the issue stems from young drivers watching the aggressive drivers of the past generations. They grow up believing those to be the standards that they should emulate.
Whatever the reasons be, it is quite clear that not everyone wants to see Busch or Logano in the victory lane every single weekend.
