Image Source: Flickr

BY NICK ADAMS

ANCHOR JONAH JAVAD

Kyle Busch is getting a lot of attention these days over his most recent on-pavement run in with Ron Hornaday.

Busch was no longer allowed to participate in the Texas Motor Speedway after intentionally crashing into Hornaday last weekend. Fox News reports -- the move caused so much commotion, sponsors are now speaking out.

“The AP reporting today that one of Busch’s sponsors, Z-Line Designs is asking Busch to be yanked from the season’s last race and replaced by another driver, Denny Hamlin.”

Busch also lost his main sponsor, Mars, Inc.,  for the rest of the year. A Stock Car Spin writer has never seen sponsors react like this.

“I can’t recall another time that this has happened in NASCAR. Generally, NASCAR’s punishments were the end of the road. Sponsors rarely, if ever, have been so upset by something that has happened on the track that the company or organization would request the driver to be removed.”

It’s more than just sponsor’s who are telling Busch to simmer down. A Yahoo! Sports contributor says Busch crossed the line.

“Being an intimidating driver is great ... But the line was clearly drawn at intentional wrecks in races. Scraping paint is one thing—that is simply competitive racing. The point is that accidents, even at caution speeds, can injure drivers. Causing bodily harm is inexcusable.”

But does Busch deserve this much heat? A writer for SB Nation says no and that NASCAR and Busch’s sponsor went too far. He says Busch didn’t drink on the job or hurt anyone.

“...based on the reaction to his intentional crash of Ron Hornaday Jr. at Texas, you would have thought Busch was right up there with Jerry Sandusky.”

Busch will get the opportunity to race in the Phoenix International Raceway this weekend.  ESPN reports Interstate Batteries will take over for MARS as the sponsor for Kyle Busch’s number 18 car.