Kyle Busch is either experiencing a streak of bad luck in the Cup Series or trying too hard to snap out of his recent slump. Everything seemed to be going his way last Sunday at Kansas, and it looked like he was on the verge of securing his 64th career win. However, with just 32 laps remaining, he lost his composure, trying to force his way ahead to maintain his lead. Moments later, Busch found himself spinning down the track after making contact with Chase Briscoe, a lapped driver.
This incident sparked reactions from experts and former NASCAR drivers, many of whom weighed in on Busch’s aggressive driving. NASCAR journalist Jordan Bianchi highlighted Busch’s ongoing struggles with the Next Gen car, suggesting that his driving style might not be suited for NASCAR’s latest car model. Bianchi’s remarks sparked a debate, but Busch’s former teammate, Denny Hamlin, wasn’t convinced by this critique and shared his own thoughts on Busch’s challenges.
Denny Hamlin argues that the struggles many drivers face with the Next Gen car are not unique to Kyle Busch. The shift to a new generation of racing cars has been a learning experience for nearly everyone in the Cup Series. Even drivers like Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, both from Hendrick Motorsports (HMS), have faced challenges in adapting to the changes from the Gen 6 era. Despite Busch’s struggles, he’s still managed to secure three wins with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) since leaving Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), proving he knows how to win.
Bianchi criticized Busch’s decision to push too hard during the race at Kansas, pointing out that his attempt to squeeze past Briscoe was a mistake. “To me, that’s a sign of Busch’s struggles with this car. Sometimes he tries to force things too much,” Bianchi said on “The Teardown” podcast. But does this mean that Busch isn’t skilled enough to compete with the Next Gen car? Hamlin doesn’t think so.
Hamlin expressed that the issue isn’t Busch’s skill but rather his confidence. In Hamlin’s eyes, Busch needs to rebuild his self-belief and adjust his approach. “I don’t buy that,” Hamlin said, referring to the criticism that Busch can’t adapt to the new car. “Great race car drivers can adapt to whatever they’re driving. I feel like Busch has even been racing on dirt, so surely he’s improved in that area. We’ve been driving the Next Gen car for three years now, and you’d expect drivers to adapt by now.”
Hamlin emphasized that the learning curve of the Next Gen car is something all drivers have had to face. He pointed out that every driver is still figuring out how to make the car go faster and where their strengths lie. “There’s a learning curve for all of us. It’s about finding the balance—how much we can push the car and what it needs to perform at its best. But Busch has enough races under his belt now, and I don’t think it’s fair to say that his style doesn’t fit the car. We all have to change our style week by week,” Hamlin added.
While Hamlin defended Busch’s ability to adapt, he also dealt with his own frustrations at Kansas. Hamlin had been in contention for a top-five finish, but his chances were derailed by issues on pit road. After the race, Hamlin voiced his frustration with his team, feeling that their performance cost him a potential win. However, he has since moved on from that setback and is focusing on the races ahead.
The #11 pit crew is usually one of the most reliable and consistent in the series, but at Kansas, things didn’t go as planned. Early in the race, during Stage 1, a mistake on pit road cost Hamlin valuable track position, dropping him from the top five to outside the top 10. Frustrated, Hamlin reminded his team over the radio that they couldn’t afford any more errors on pit road.
But things didn’t improve. By the end of Stage 2, Hamlin had to restart from the back of the field after a loose wheel issue during a pit stop. This was a critical mistake, especially in a race as important as Kansas, which played a key role in the playoffs. “They know that today was one of their worst days ever,” Hamlin said after the race, clearly disappointed in his team’s performance. However, he acknowledged that his frustration was in the heat of the moment.
### Moving Forward: Hamlin’s Focus on the Future
Despite the disappointment, Hamlin has since put the Kansas race behind him. He recognizes that every team has bad days, and he’s ready to focus on the upcoming races. “We’ve had many days where the 11 team has been P1 on pit road. So, while I can be upset and frustrated in the moment—which I think I’m allowed to be—I can also turn the page and say, let’s get back to work. We need to figure this out because I need you this weekend,” Hamlin said, showing his commitment to moving forward and staying competitive.
In NASCAR, setbacks are inevitable, but Hamlin’s mindset reflects the resilience that top drivers must maintain. Both Hamlin and Busch are navigating the challenges of the Next Gen car, but their ability to adapt and bounce back will define their success in the races to come. For now, Hamlin is focused on his team’s improvement, while Busch looks to regain his confidence and continue proving his worth on the track.
Denny Hamlin Defends Kyle Busch, Rejects Claims He Can’t Keep Up with NASCAR’s Changes
