By Ryan - Posted on July 8, 2009

NASCAR News reporters’ computer keyboards were burning up before Kyle Busch’s wheels finished spinning from the final lap wreck that left him in 14th place at Daytona.  Tony Stewart turned the #18 Interstate Batteries Camry when Busch attempted to block.  The “big one” was truly spectacular and the fans surely went home with the impression that their driver was not at fault.

The Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch teams agreed on one thing, NASCAR bears the responsibility for what happened on Independence Day.  Busch crew chief Steve Addington said, “This is a product of restrictor-plate racing with these racecars. What are you going to say? Everybody on this race team worked their tails off and we had a good racecar. I can't say anything. I'm not pointing any fingers at Tony. He was trying to win the race, Kyle was trying to block him for the win and we got turned around."

In the winner’s circle, Stewart expressed regret for seeming to wreck Busch.  “I don't want any part of winning a race because the guy who was leading the race got wrecked.  I don't know that we did anything wrong. I've seen replays of it, and he's protecting his position, which is what he's got to do.  He can't just sit there and let us make a move like that and not try to defend it.  But it puts him, it puts us, it put Kasey Kahne behind him, in a bad position where it drove Kyle's car all the way up to Kasey's windshield,” said Smoke.

Since he fell short of blaming the organization directly, most media have been speculating the meaning behind these statements.  NASCAR has dealt with making drivers and fans realize that restrictor plates are not going away.  “Plate races” continue to provide excitement and sell tickets, and as long as they do, they won’t end.  An organization like NASCAR should put the safety of its drivers ahead of selling tickets, but that likely won’t happen.