No-brainer

 

It occurred to me, after the AAA Texas 500 on Sunday, that when Chad Knaus fired his pit crew in the middle of the race, he had "crossed the Rubicon," so to speak, which means he had crossed the point of no return.

Knaus had to keep the change in effect for the remaining two races. He couldn't risk having a disgraced pit crew's morale become an issue. The change may have had a positive effect. If put back behind the pit wall, the pit crew that had serviced Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 may have redoubled its efforts and rallied back, but it may also have had a difficult time recovering from the, well, chagrin. Knaus couldn't afford that uncertainty. So the announcement that Jeff Gordon's old crew would pit Johnson for the remaining two races was inevitable as a practical matter.

I meant to write this after the race, but it was an eventful day and I just forgot about it. I suppose a real journalist would have written himself a note. So I can't really write I told you so, now. All I can write is that it didn't surprise me.

* * *

While sort of cleaning out the mailbox, I should address the announcement on Tuesday that NASCAR was fining Kyle Busch $25,000 for his actions during the race. Busch made a familiar gesture of derision at a NASCAR official and was penalized two laps for it at the time.

Here's something I did write earlier: Maturity is not defined by how one reacts during good times. Maturity is reflected in how one responds to adversity. The invariable declarations of "the New Kyle Busch" (or the New Anybody) always occur after some glorious victory. It's easy to behave and be sportsmanlike and gracious in victory. It's difficult to show dignity in defeat, and that is the true measure of maturity.

I do not dislike Kyle Busch. He annoys me from time to time, but I admire his guts and his willingness to do what he believes is right, however misguided. There are times when he may be a brat, but he's not a fake. Personally, I can tolerate a sinner much easier than I can a hypocrite.

I used to say that the only driver who could beat Tony Stewart was Tony Stewart. That's even truer of Kyle Busch.

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