Despite being eliminated from the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Kyle Busch is still determined to secure a victory before the season ends, as he strives to keep his streak of winning in consecutive NASCAR Cup seasons alive. Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, has claimed at least one win for the past 19 years in a row, and extending that streak to 20 seasons would be an incredible milestone. However, after a near miss at Kansas Speedway over the weekend, his chances of continuing the streak seem uncertain, and even his former teammate, Denny Hamlin, has weighed in on Busch’s prospects.
Busch’s race at Kansas ended in disappointment, once again leaving him without a win this season. In a recent episode of his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, Hamlin shared his thoughts on whether the driver of the No. 8 car could still grab a victory and extend his winning streak before the season concludes. While Hamlin acknowledged Busch’s capabilities, he also expressed doubts about Busch’s ability to win outright through sheer speed alone.
“Every time I doubt them, they seem like they go on a run,” Hamlin said, recognizing the unpredictability of Busch’s performances. “So, I don’t know that I want to charge that up, but I feel as though they’re definitely running better than they were.”
Hamlin’s mixed feelings reflect the challenging nature of Busch’s season. He explained that earlier in the year, he wasn’t convinced that Busch had the potential to win. “When we talked earlier in the season, I asked you, ‘What have you seen? What makes you think he’s going to win a race?’ Like, there’s nothing,” Hamlin said, referencing the lack of standout performances from Busch. “As far as winning it on just speed, going out there, leading 200-plus laps? No, I do not see that happening.”
Although Hamlin doesn’t see Busch winning based on dominating speed, he didn’t completely rule out the possibility of a victory. He acknowledged that Busch’s experience and racing instincts could still lead to a win under the right circumstances, especially when strategy comes into play. “He could win through sequences like we saw this weekend, where, you know, they’re running pretty good, and then all of a sudden, the field splits on strategy, and he’s on the right strategy,” Hamlin explained.
Hamlin went on to say that while the most likely outcome is that Busch’s streak will come to an end, it’s still too early to count him out completely. “I think that, certainly what’s most likely is the streak is over, but I wouldn’t count them out, because I just think that he’s a capable enough driver,” Hamlin remarked. He emphasized that Busch’s driving talent isn’t in question, and that it’s more a matter of the team finding the speed and consistency they need to compete at the highest level.
“No one’s questioning, ‘Does Kyle Busch still have it?’ I think he might question himself at times more than what we question him,” Hamlin added, acknowledging that Busch’s confidence may have taken a hit during this tough season. “But I just think that they’re — while they’re gaining on the speed that they need to compete, it’s just, it’s not happening often enough.”
Busch has had multiple close calls this season where victory seemed within reach. His near-win at Kansas is just one example, along with other notable races such as the summer event at Daytona and the final race of the regular season at Darlington. In each of these races, Busch was in a strong position to win but ultimately fell short. It’s been a frustrating year for the veteran driver, and managing to pull off even one victory before the season ends would be a huge boost to his confidence and morale.
Hamlin’s comments reflect the broader sense of uncertainty surrounding Busch’s season. While Busch remains one of the most skilled and experienced drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, the pieces haven’t quite come together for him this year. His team has struggled with consistency, and although they’ve shown flashes of competitiveness, they haven’t been able to sustain it over the course of a race.
The upcoming race at Talladega Superspeedway presents Busch with another opportunity to get back to Victory Lane. Talladega is known for its unpredictable nature, where anything can happen, and even drivers who aren’t considered favorites can find themselves in position to win. Busch’s experience and racing savvy could give him an edge in navigating the chaos that often defines races at Talladega.
However, with only a handful of races left in the season, the pressure is mounting for Busch to secure a win. As Hamlin pointed out, the window of opportunity is closing, and if Busch wants to extend his streak to 20 consecutive seasons with a win, he’ll need to capitalize on one of the remaining races. “There’s only so many bites of the apple left,” Hamlin said, underscoring the urgency of the situation. “So the veteran wheelman is going to need to make it happen sooner rather than later.”
In the end, while the odds may be stacked against him, Busch’s determination and skill could still carry him to victory before the season is over. Whether it happens at Talladega or in one of the remaining races, NASCAR fans will be watching closely to see if Kyle Busch can pull off a win and keep his impressive streak alive.
