Kyle Busch has spent the last 24 years racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. He’s a two-time champion of the series (2015, 2019).
The 40-year-old driver has collected 63 race wins throughout his hall-of-fame career. Those tallies place him 9th on the all-time wins list for the NASCAR Cup series. Ironically, that’s just two wins ahead of Hamlin.
Beginning with the 2023 season, Busch has been driving for Richard Childress Racing after departing Joe Gibbs Racing. He picked up three wins in his first season with the new team.
Busch reflects on ‘false promises’ after leaving Joe Gibbs
However, since 2024, Busch has gone without a trip to victory lane in Cup Series competition. And, week after week, there’s new radio chatter between Busch and his team showing clear signs of frustration.
Hamlin is a former teammate of Busch at JGR. He shared some comments amid the recent struggles…
Denny Hamlin comments on Kyle Busch
“As a driver, you gotta make up the difference,” Denny Hamlin stated via his Actions Detrimental podcast.
“You’re the one that sends the team in a direction. It’s just my opinion, and Kyle Busch, I can’t hold the guys helmet, talent wise.”
“But, I just think this is not new. He’s struggled for five years now. We just have to be honest about our expectations. If you’re expecting Kyle Busch to just go back to victory lane on a regular basis, you are kidding yourselves and you’re going to be very disappointed.”
“Until we change cars, or something has to change. I don’t know what, I have no idea. I’m not in his shoes, I’m not his crew chief, I’m not his engineer and I’m not his team owner. I’m not in the weeds, I’m just a podcaster who happens to be on the racetrack around him.”
“I can just say that it’s not working. And I don’t have the answers.”
“What happened to Jimmie Johnson? He went from kicking our ass every week. To all the sudden, not winning. Immediately, it was like a light switch.”
“Sometimes the light switch goes off at different times.
“He’s right there with Austin Dillon in points. No matter what the cars are, he should be, at minimum, 5 spots ahead every single week. Because he’s one of the greatest. Or was one of the greatest.”
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 23: Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 McLaren Custom Grills Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 23, 2023 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch responds to comments from Denny Hamlin
Kyle Busch is far from happy about the comments above from Denny Hamlin. Ahead of this weekend at Kansas Speedway, Busch responded…
“If Denny wants to switch cars, I’ll switch cars with him any day of the week,” Kyle Busch told Jeff Gluck in the video below.
“I would love for him to show me that he can carry it better than I can.”
Busch stated of social media comments, “I’ve consumed some of it over time and I’ve consumed that 80% 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. So, he can bash me all he wants.”
Busch added, “I can certainly make his life hell.”
Kyle Busch retaliates on Riley Herbst at Bristol (Video)
Denny Hamlin reacts to threats from Kyle Busch
After Busch made the comments above, Hamlin has responded:
Not really sure what I’m supposed to do,” Hamlin opened via X.
“I host a podcast and I have to answer questions about relevant topics. Should I just say I dunno, everything seems fine to me? Not sure where he felt I ‘bashed’.”
Hamlin concluded, “Im walking a damn tight rope here.”
Hamlin and Busch take the green flag in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday.
Kyle Busch seemingly did not appreciate the comments on Denny Hamlin’s podcast. pic.twitter.com/VtkqqFlVsR
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) April 18, 2026
Links
Kyle Busch | Denny Hamlin | Bristol Motor Speedway | NASCAR
Context:
Busch challenges Hamlin to switch cars after criticism, saying "I can certainly make his life hell."
Context:
This feud highlights growing tensions as NASCAR's veteran stars struggle with performance expectations.
Context:
Busch hasn't won since 2023 while Hamlin trails him by just two career victories at 61 wins.