NASCAR mailbag: Why was Kyle Busch so mad after the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte?

Each week SB Nation’s NASCAR reporter Jordan Bianchi answers your questions about the latest news and happenings within the sport. If you have a mailbag question, email jordanmbianchi@gmail.com.

I admit I’m not a longtime fan and don’t have the connection to the number like most seem to do, but is the No. 3 winning as big a deal as it’s being made out to be? A certain car number winning with a driver other than one who made that number famous sounds like people are just looking for a reason to reminisce.

--Kelly

Austin Dillon taking the No. 3 to victory lane for the first time since Oct. 2000 is significant when you consider the No. 3, No. 21, No. 24, and No. 43 are regarded by many as the most iconic car numbers in NASCAR history. And of these four, the No. 3 had gone the longest without winning, and not since Dale Earnhardt’s death.

So if you’re curious why there was an outpouring of sentiments, this is the primary reason. But the poignancy extends beyond just Earnhardt and what the number means to his family and legion of fans. It also means just as much, if not more, to the driver and owner who were celebrating in victory lane at Charlotte due to the special relationship they have with No. 3.

Although Dillon isn’t the driver who made the No. 3 relevant, he and grandfather Richard Childress have as much of a connection to the number as anyone. It’s often forgotten that Childress used that number long before Earnhardt joined his team. He became so linked with it that his grandson, Dillon, chose to honor him by having that as his number in every division he raced in.

Any idea what made Kyle Busch so mad Sunday night? It sure seemed like he was mad just because and instead of acting like an adult, he acts like a spoiled child. I get he was mad over not winning, but at least show some class and credit Austin for winning his first race. When is NASCAR going to step in and punish him?

--Dennis

Theories abound why a churlish Busch dropped the mic (literally) in his post-race press conference when asked by a reporter about Dillon winning his first career race.

What made his reaction standout was just a few minutes before, he handled himself maturely in a Fox Sports TV interview on pit road. Did his frustration seemingly reach a boiling point between the two interviews, or did something else transpire? Only Busch can answer that question, and thus far he’s been mute on the subject except to say everyone reacts to losing differently.

Nonetheless, Busch again finds himself facing scrutiny for how he conducts himself post-race. (The most notable incident remains the time when in good-natured fun he smashed a guitar after winning at Nashville Superspeedway.) But NASCAR won’t intervene unless he does something that crosses a line, because ultimately unless he’s swearing or threatening the media, he’s not doing anything to justify punishment of any sort.

Sure, it would nice to see Busch have a better outlook when things don’t go his way. Then again, not everyone is wired liked Helio Castroneves, who after falling just short of winning a record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, lauded winner Takuma Sato and third-place Ed Jones.

This isn’t Busch. Which is a good thing. NASCAR needs divisive personalities. And it’s worth noting, the same winning-is-all-that-matters mentality that makes him a lightning rod, is also why he’s a former Cup Series champion in the midst of a first-ballot Hall of Fame career.

Is Dale Jr.’s endorsement of Alex Bowman going to help him drive the 88 full time?

--Brian

Certainly Bowman’s candidacy isn’t hurt by Earnhardt lobbying on his behalf. Also helping greatly is how Bowman performed as a fill-in last season in 10 races where he nearly won at Phoenix International Raceway and had several other strong runs. Results indicate the 24-year-old possesses the talent to be competitive in NASCAR’s top division, something Hendrick Motorsports can then use to sell Bowman to potential sponsors.

It’s this factor that will play a prominent role in deciding who takes over for Earnhardt next year. Complicating matters is Nationwide still deciding whether to remain as the anchor sponsor for the No. 88 team, return in a lesser role, or completely disassociate itself. If a new primary sponsor is required, securing a replacement becomes the first priority before Hendrick goes about naming a new driver, as that company would want a voice in any decision.

Working in Hendrick’s favor is Bowman and William Byron, the other co-favorite to land the No. 88 ride who’s currently driving for Hendrick-supported JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, both are under contract to the team and in no jeopardy of jumping elsewhere. This gives the organization time to sort through the sponsorship quagmire and determine the best course of action.

Another thing to watch unfold is what happens with Kasey Kahne and the No. 5 team. With Kahne continuing to flounder and Great Clips announcing Wednesday it is leaving as primary sponsor at the end of the season, it is conceivable Hendrick could make a move and buyout the final year of Kahne’s contract. The domino effect is Bowman and Byron both ending up as full-time Cup drivers in 2018.