Originally Posted on December 18, 2005 on Foxsports.com
Almost everything you need to know you learned in kindergarten. Sometime we learn these lessons quickly, sometimes we take a few hard knocks before we realize their wisdom. Kurt Busch took a few hard knocks this fall when he didn't apply the things he should have learned in kindergarten.
I'm no Kurt Busch fan - but regardless of my preferences, he is the 2004 Nextel Cup Champion. He will continue to drive in the series for many years. Hopefully, his run in with the Maricopa County Sheriff's department will encourage him to make some changes in his life and apply these kindergarten lessons.
In a nutshell the story of Busch's hard knock lesson is this: Busch was pulled over by a sheriff's deputy for speeding. He mouthed off to the officer and as a result was subjected to a breath test once the officer smelled alcohol on his breath. After first reporting that the machine did not work, the sheriff's department later reported that it had worked and that Busch was well below the legal limit. However, that bit of information did not come out until after his car owner and sponsors suspended him for the last two races of the year. Busch's new car owner stood behind him.
Lesson #1: Respect authority. This whole mess could have possibly been avoided if Busch had not mouthed off to the officer when he was initially pulled over. In kindergarten, you learn to respect the authority of the teacher - or you learn to respect the authority of the principal. In any event, there are consequences ( immediate and collateral) on many levels for not being respectful. I'm not advocating that you confess to officers - I'm merely suggesting that you maintain your cool, avoid calling people names, and be polite. Simple enough - and usually will carry you through the situation without additional problems. If things get out of hand, respectfully ask for a lawyer and let them sort things out.
Lesson #2: Play nice with others. Busch's problem was compounded when his current car owner, Jack Roush did not back him up in the situation. It appears that Roush and Busch had been at odds for some time, and that Roush's reaction was a payback for Busch's lack of loyalty and high-handed attitude in handling contract negotiations and the 2005 racing season. Roush maintained (in all likelihood correctly) that it violated the contracts with sponsors, and he did not want to default on the agreements, so he suspended Busch. In kindergarten, most kids learn that if they don't play nicely with the other kids they will eventually be excluded. Busch learned the hard way not to burn bridges with others - especially if the others have a bit more power.
Lesson #3: Don't lie. Busch claimed that the incident had nothing to do with drinking, which was partially true. However, it was the smell of alcohol that gave the officer more leverage and it was the smell of alcohol on his breath which violated his sponsorship agreements. In kindergarten, most kids learn that lying may get you somewhere for a while, but the ultimate discovery of the falsehood has dire consequences. While Busch was splitting hairs, it gave his detractors a lot of ammunition and gave his car owner the chance to impose some draconian consequences.
Lesson #4: You really can't get by with anything. Busch's attitude with the officer was that he should get a pass because he was the reigning nascar champion and a professional car race driver. He apparently underestimated the publicity this incident would generate, and the opinion of the masses. In kindergarten, there are so many other kids watching what you are doing, it is hard to get by with anything. If the teacher or the aid doesn't catch you, someone will tattle.
Lesson #5: Bad news travels faster and farther than good news. Time for reflections: how many times did the teacher/ principal call to tell your parents that you had misbehaved? And how many times did they call to say you were doing a wonderful job? Bad news is a lot more entertaining than good news. Watch the nightly news or read a newspaper/website if you doubt this. According to Roger Penske, Busch's new car owner, Busch will be making things right with the Maricopa Sheriff's Department and the Phoenix community. Unfortunately, this good behavior will probably be largely ignored by the media and by a large portion of the fans will never hear of it.
Lesson #6: Mommy can fix anything; or in other words, your family and friends are worth their weight in gold. Busch's fiance was with him at the time he was arrested and his family was quickly summoned to the scene. They have remained supportive of him, as has Roger Penske. Those are the people Busch needs to send HUGE thank you's to this holiday season. Trying to mend that bridge to Jack Roush and the sponsors wouldn't hurt either.
Kurt Busch has a long way to go to rehabilitate his image with nascar fans. He was not a fan favorite before this year, and many who at least respected that he was 2004 Champion were disguisted with his behavior this year .
Busch will have to eat a lot of humble pie in the upcoming months. But if he just remembers back to those lessons from kindergarten, he'll realize that the greatest stories are those in which the bad guy redeems himself in the end.
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