Matt Johnson
Kyle Busch made headlines this weekend ahead of the NASCAR race at Kansas Speedway by suggesting he could get payback on Denny Hamlin for comments he made earlier in the week. With Busch’s on-track performance not adding anything to the feud, he’s now doubling down behind the microphone.
In a recent interview, Busch said that Hamlin has taken on his role as the villain driver who is winning a lot. However, they aren’t talking much, and Hamlin could get “run into again here soon” for “running his mouth” and saying Busch is “washed” as a driver.
“He’s got his own podcast and he’s been running his mouth lately so he might get run into again here soon…He’s been telling me that I’m washed up and can’t drive anymore.”
Related: NASCAR Insider Sheds Light on Kyle Busch’s Options in Free Agency
To correct the record, Hamlin never said his former teammate is washed or can’t drive anymore. Instead, on last week’s episode of Actions Detrimental, the driver of the No. 11 car said that Busch should “carry it better” amid the ongoing struggles Richard Childress Racing is going through. Hamlin also said anyone still expecting Busch to recapture his former glory as a consistent winner is “going to be very disappointed” because the 40-year-old “doesn’t know how to get the speed out of the Next Gen car on a consistent basis.”
Hamlin, who has recorded 12 Cup Series wins since Busch’s last trip to victory lane in he No. 8 car, also said that he “can’t hold the guy’s helmet talent-wise” when comparing himself to Busch. Evidently, Busch didn’t hear that part of the segment. It’s also worth mentioning that when Busch was on the podcast last year, Hamlin credited him for his career development.
Related: Denny Hamlin Offers Blunt Message on Kyle Busch’s Struggles
Busch also revealed his “hate list” of fellow NASCAR drivers, which consists of Carson Hocevar, Joey Logano, and Brad Keselowski. As is the case with Hamlin, the only problems he can cause for them is when he is about to get lapped, and potentially not even for the first time in that race.
NASCAR stats back that up. In the last six races, Busch ranks 31st in average finishing position (25), which puts him far behind Hamlin (5.3, second), Keselowski (10.0, sixth), Hocevar (14.3, 13th), and even a struggling Logano (19.8, 21st).
Related: Kyle Busch Winless Streak, What’s Happened Since and Before Last Win
Even going back to the last 15 races ahead of Talladega, Busch ranks 21st in average finishing position (20.6), while Hamlin is fifth (11.8), Keselowski is sixth (12.5), Logano is 12th (15.3), and even Hocevar (19.6) ranks slightly ahead of the future Hall of Famer. None of these drivers can truly see Busch as a rival because he’s not providing them with any competition.
Busch’s frustration with RCR is evident, but what has put an even greater spotlight on his struggles is the fact that Dillon is outperforming him this season. Both are forced to deal with RCR giving them insufficient support, but the driver of the No. 3 car seems to be handling it better and delivering greater results.
Notably, Hamlin didn’t respond to Busch’s weekend comments during Monday’s episode of Actions Detrimental. It will be interesting to see how things between the two drivers may be influenced in the coming weeks when Hamlin inevitably ties Busch for career Cup wins and eventually passes him this season.
Related: NASCAR Cup Series All-Time Wins List, including Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin
