Kyle Busch appeared to be on track for a solid win at the Kansas Speedway over the weekend, but things took a sharp turn when he lost control of his car. While trying to pass Chase Briscoe with just 32 laps remaining, Busch’s car spun, ending his chances at a victory. What looked like a potential win quickly turned into a disappointment for the veteran driver.
Denny Hamlin, who knows Busch well from their time as teammates, shared his thoughts on the incident during his latest episode of the *Actions Detrimental* podcast. According to Hamlin, Busch’s aggressive move likely cost him the race. The question on Hamlin’s mind was whether Busch made a risky mistake while attempting to score his first win of the 2024 NASCAR Cup season. A win would have extended Busch’s streak of victories in consecutive seasons to an impressive 20.
Hamlin explained that the race was poised for a thrilling finish, with five or six drivers battling it out for the top spot. However, Busch’s unfortunate spin dashed his chances of being part of that final push. “Kyle stepped on it, as we say in our business, and spun out,” Hamlin said, pointing out the difficulty of Busch’s maneuver. He elaborated that Busch found himself in a tricky aerodynamic situation, where the air pressure around his car shifted dramatically when he got too close to Briscoe and the wall. This sudden loss of downforce caused the car to spin, leaving Busch with little control. Hamlin noted that he had experienced a similar situation at the Michigan race, highlighting how tricky these aerodynamic conditions can be.
In Hamlin’s view, Busch’s mistake wasn’t entirely surprising. He could see why Busch made the bold move—it was a calculated risk. Briscoe was holding Busch up, and with the No. 1 car gaining on them, Busch needed to act fast. From Busch’s perspective, making a quick pass was necessary to avoid losing momentum and to regain clean air, which could have helped him maintain his pace. However, Hamlin admitted that it was a high-risk decision that didn’t pay off.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Hamlin expressed understanding for Busch’s predicament. He recognized that Busch, like any driver in that position, was trying to make the best decision in the heat of the moment. However, Hamlin also hinted that Busch should have considered the potential consequences of his move more carefully. The balance between risk and reward is always at play in high-speed racing, and in this case, Busch’s gamble didn’t work in his favor.
As a result of the spin, Busch ended the race with a 19th-place finish, far from the top where he had hoped to be. The win ultimately went to Ross Chastain, while Busch was left pondering what could have been. Kansas joins the list of missed opportunities for Busch this season, alongside other tracks like Daytona and Darlington.
Now, Busch will have to wait for another chance to extend his consecutive-season win streak. While the Kansas race didn’t go his way, there are still plenty of races left in the season, and Busch will undoubtedly be eager to bounce back. With his talent and experience, it’s only a matter of time before he finds himself back in victory lane.
For now, fans and fellow drivers alike are left to reflect on Busch’s near-miss in Kansas and the fine line between risk and reward in the world of NASCAR racing.
Denny Hamlin reacts to Kyle Busch ‘mistake’ at Kansas
