Denny Hamlin Expresses Concern for Kyle Busch: A Tough Season for ‘Rowdy’

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season has been a rollercoaster for Kyle Busch, and his struggles on the track have not gone unnoticed by his former teammate, Denny Hamlin. In fact, Hamlin’s concerns about Busch’s mental state became so pronounced after the Richmond race that he seriously considered reaching out to make sure his fellow driver was doing okay. Busch’s struggles, marked by pit road mistakes and on-track incidents, have become a familiar story in what has been a difficult season for the two-time NASCAR champion.

Denny Hamlin’s Concern for Kyle Busch

Speaking on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin shared his genuine concern for Kyle Busch’s well-being. After watching Busch’s performance at Richmond, Hamlin revealed that he briefly considered doing a welfare check on his friend. “I was going to text him, ‘Are you okay?'” Hamlin joked. But his tone quickly turned serious as he recounted Busch’s actions during the race.

“I felt, BOOM, I’m like, ‘What the hell?’ I guess he was warming his tires up and just f*ing door slammed the st out of me,” Hamlin recalled. “He is hitting everything! He ran into us under caution. Unintentional, obviously. Then, down the backstretch, we didn’t really talk about the big wreck, but I don’t know.”

For Hamlin, Busch’s actions on the track seemed to reflect a deeper frustration and a possible lack of focus. He noted how Busch appeared to be struggling in ways that went beyond simple racing incidents. “Well, I wanted to be genuine about it, like ‘Hey bud, how you doing? Doing okay?’ He just wiped out a few cars, and then the 9 [Chase Elliott] was coming by and he clipped him on the way out. I don’t know, man. It’s tough to say, it just, it doesn’t, I don’t know. Doesn’t look right.”

The incidents at Richmond were just another chapter in a frustrating season for Busch, whose performance has often fallen short of expectations. Despite his reputation as one of NASCAR’s most skilled drivers, Busch has been struggling to regain the form that saw him dominate the sport in previous years. His continued misfortune, combined with mounting frustration, has left many wondering what Busch needs to get back to his old ways behind the wheel.

Kyle Busch’s Struggles in 2023

Busch’s Richmond performance was a microcosm of his season so far. Despite having the speed to be competitive, his race was marred by mistakes both on the track and in the pits. These missteps have kept him from reaching his potential and getting the results many expected of him after his high-profile move to Richard Childress Racing in 2023.

At Richmond, Busch was involved in several incidents, including the door slam on Hamlin under caution, and his involvement in a wreck that wiped out several cars. It’s clear that his frustration is mounting, especially when he sees his teammate Austin Dillon win a race convincingly. Dillon’s success, contrasting with Busch’s struggles, only adds to the frustration Busch is feeling, as it further underscores his own difficulties in achieving success this season.

As the season progresses, Busch’s chances of securing a win and making the playoffs hinge on finding consistency and eliminating the mistakes that have plagued his performances. Busch will need to turn things around quickly to make a meaningful run at a playoff spot, with races like Daytona offering a potential opportunity to regain momentum.

Denny Hamlin’s Own Playoff Ambitions

While Hamlin is concerned about his friend, he also has his own priorities as the NASCAR playoffs approach. Although Hamlin’s season has been relatively strong, with a good position to qualify for the postseason, he understands that consistency and avoiding mistakes will be key in the final stretch of the regular season.

Hamlin’s 2023 campaign has seen him perform well, but his inconsistency in recent years—particularly his inability to make the Championship 4 since 2021—has become a point of focus. His postseason performances in recent years have not matched the standards he set earlier in his career, and as a result, Hamlin is determined to make the most of his opportunities in the upcoming playoff rounds.

In the Round of 16, Hamlin sees tracks like Darlington, Gateway, and Bristol as places where he could win. He’ll need to capitalize on these opportunities, but he’s also aware of the challenges that await in later rounds, particularly New Hampshire and Kansas. Avoiding DNFs (Did Not Finish) and ensuring strong finishes will be critical if Hamlin hopes to compete for the championship in 2023.

The Road Ahead for Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin

As Denny Hamlin deals with his own playoff aspirations, his concern for Kyle Busch shows the human side of NASCAR. It’s not just about racing; it’s about the mental and emotional toll that comes with the sport, especially when things aren’t going well. Busch’s struggles on the track may be frustrating, but they also highlight the pressure that comes with being a high-profile driver in NASCAR.

For Busch, the road ahead will require a mental reset as much as it does a technical one. He’ll need to find a way to focus on the task at hand, tune out the distractions, and channel his frustrations into productive driving. Whether it’s reaching out to his friends like Hamlin or finding his own way through the mental hurdles, Busch needs to get back to his roots and regain the confidence that made him a two-time champion.

For Hamlin, the priority is his own path to the championship. He’s aware that consistency will be key to his success in the playoffs, and he will have to put his own frustrations aside to continue competing at a high level. Hamlin’s experience and expertise make him a strong contender, but he knows that NASCAR’s postseason is no place for mistakes.

As the season heads toward the playoffs, both drivers will need to navigate their own personal challenges. While Hamlin is focused on securing a championship, he has not lost sight of the struggles his friend Busch is facing. The sport of NASCAR is full of highs and lows, but it’s also a reminder that behind the helmets and the cars, it’s the relationships between drivers that can make a lasting impact both on and off the track.