Denny Hamlin, on his latest episode of the podcast Actions Detrimental, expressed his concerns over Kyle Busch's recent performance in NASCAR, questioning whether his era in the sport has come to an end.
Why it matters: Hamlin’s insights highlight a potential shift in Busch’s racing career, as he struggles to keep pace with competitors since joining Richard Childress Racing (RCR).
Busch's last victory in the NASCAR Cup Series was over three years ago, on June 4, 2023, at Gateway, marking a notable drought in his career.
Since joining RCR, Busch has faced challenges, failing to consistently outperform teammate Austin Dillon, who recently won back-to-back races at Richmond Raceway.
Hamlin emphasized that a driver of Busch's caliber should be outperforming a teammate who has only ten career wins, which raises concerns about Busch's current form.
Driving the news: The conversation stems from Hamlin's reflections on Busch's performance and the competitive nature of the current NASCAR field.
Hamlin noted that Busch has struggled for five years, with the last couple of years at Joe Gibbs Racing also being unsatisfactory.
He pointed out that Busch has not been able to extract consistent speed from the NextGen car, a challenge that has become more pronounced with increased competition.
Hamlin commented, "Competition has increased, and now drivers need to make a difference," indicating a shift in the racing dynamics.
The state of play: Busch's performance has been under scrutiny, particularly following a promising start to the 2026 season.
In 2026, Busch began the season strong by winning the pole for the Daytona 500 but finished 15th in that race and crashed at Atlanta, ending up 34th.
These early season results have extended Busch's winless streak, pushing him down in the standings and raising questions about his competitiveness.
Hamlin stated, "Clearly, RCR is not good right now," reinforcing the notion that Busch's struggles are not solely due to his efforts but also the car's performance.
The big picture: Hamlin compared Busch's current situation to that of Jimmie Johnson, who experienced a decline in competitiveness after winning championships.
Hamlin warned that these transitions can occur unexpectedly in a driver's career, stating, "Sometimes the light switch goes off at different times. I don’t know."
He expressed uncertainty about Busch's future beyond his current contract, questioning whether he would find a new team if he continues to struggle.
Hamlin speculated that Busch might not return to Joe Gibbs Racing, where he had a successful run from 2008 to 2022.
What they're saying: Hamlin's candid remarks provide insight into the challenges Busch faces and the expectations surrounding his performance.
“If you’re expecting Kyle Busch to just go back to Victory Lane, you’re going to be very disappointed,” Hamlin said, urging fans to readjust their expectations.
He suggested that Busch may need to change his approach to car setup, indicating that being overly involved in technical decisions might be hindering his performance.
Hamlin advised Busch to focus more on how the car feels rather than trying to dictate specific changes, stating, "It’s the driver’s job to send them in a direction but that doesn’t mean telling them what to change."
By the numbers: Busch's recent statistics paint a concerning picture of his performance in the NASCAR Cup Series.
It has been over 100 races since Busch last secured a victory, highlighting a prolonged period without success.
In his first season with RCR in 2023, Busch won three races, but his performance has declined as other teams have improved their setups with the NextGen car.
Hamlin noted that the competition in NASCAR has tightened significantly, making it increasingly difficult for any team to recover without consistent speed.
Between the lines: Hamlin's reflections on Busch's performance reveal broader implications for the sport.
As competition stiffens, the gap between teams has narrowed, leaving little room for mistakes or missed setups.
Hamlin's comments suggest that the pressure on drivers like Busch is mounting, as fans and teams alike expect top-tier performance.
He empathized with Busch's struggles, stating, "It's a tough time right now, and I hate seeing it. Kyle is a competitor who hates losing, and I know it’s eating at him how bad he’s running every week."
What's next: As the season progresses, Busch's performance will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.
With his contract with RCR ending this season, the upcoming races will be decisive for Busch's future in NASCAR.
Hamlin's analysis indicates that without a change in performance, Busch may face limited options moving forward.
Fans will need to brace for a reality where one of NASCAR's most talented drivers may not be competing at his previous level.