Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch did not appreciate recent comments made by Denny Hamlin.
In a recent episode of his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, Hamlin got honest about Busch’s situation at RCR.
On Saturday in Kansas, Busch fired back with blunt comments about his former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate.
Busch on Hamlin: ‘I can certainly make his life hell’
On his podcast, Hamlin said he knows Busch has to be frustrated with his performance at RCR. Through eight races, Busch has failed to finish top 10 and is currently 24th in the points standings.
While RCR might not be providing quality equipment for “Rowdy,” Hamlin rested some of the blame on Busch’s shoulders for not getting more speed out of the NextGen car.
“Clearly RCR is not good right now. It’s time to be honest about what’s going on. I think that he doesn’t know how to get the speed out of the NextGen car on a consistent basis. There’s been flashes of it and, yes, he won three races his first season at RCR. Everyone was guessing. Everybody was guessing at that point,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin also went on to say, as noted by motorsports insider Jeff Gluck, that Busch is a “Mt. Rushmore talent.” Because of that, Hamlin believes Busch needs to do a better job carrying the car to better performances.
Busch fired back at Hamlin during a media scrum in Kansas when asked about the comments by Gluck.
“If Denny wants to switch cars, I’ll switch cars with him any day of the week, anytime. I would love for him to show me that he can carry it better than I can,” Busch said.
Busch was then asked if he “consumes” the things said about him on social media.
While the Las Vegas native said he sees the things people say, he has come to the conclusion that they do not know what they are talking about.
That includes Hamlin’s opinion, Busch said, and finished with a bold statement.
“I have consumed some of it over time and I’ve consumed that, 80 percent of it, people don’t know what the hell they’re talking about. In this instance, I don’t feel like Denny Hamlin even knows what the hell he’s talking about. He can bash me all he wants and I can certainly make his life hell,” Busch said.
Kyle Busch in contract year with RCR
The future of Busch’s NASCAR Cup Series career is up in the air after 2026.
The 63-time Cup Series race winner is in a contract year with RCR. As of now, there is no telling what the future holds for one of NASCAR’s winningest drivers.
With Alex Bowman also in a contract season with Hendrick Motorsports, there is a possibility Busch could end up at the team he started his Cup Series career with.
Through his connections with Spire Motorsports in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Spire’s Cup team could be another potential landing spot.
Busch moved to RCR ahead of the 2023 season. He previously raced for Joe Gibbs Racing, winning 56 Cup races and two championships across 15 seasons (2008-2022).
Busch earned three wins in his first season behind the wheel of the No. 8 in 2023. However, he has not won a Cup race since then.
NASCAR: Kyle Busch Blasts Denny Hamlin Over Podcast Comments