Denny Hamlin Puzzled by Kyle Busch’s Recent Performance Drop

Denny Hamlin used his Actions Detrimental podcast to question whether Kyle Busch’s peak years are behind him. Hamlin pointed to a long winless stretch and ongoing struggles since Busch’s move to Richard Childress Racing.

Denny Hamlin Puzzled by Kyle Busch’s Recent Performance Drop was a recurring theme in the episode. Hamlin said the situation looks worse than many fans realize.

Winless stretch and context

Busch’s last victory came at Gateway on June 4, 2023. That win was roughly three years and about 100 races ago.

Hamlin noted Busch’s three wins in 2023 came when teams were still dialing in the NextGen car. He said parity among teams has risen since then.

Teammate comparisons and results

Hamlin highlighted Austin Dillon’s recent form. Dillon posted back-to-back wins at Richmond Raceway.

Hamlin argued Busch should outperform a teammate with only 10 career wins. He said that advantage is not apparent in current races.

Possible causes and setup approach

Hamlin suggested Busch struggles to extract consistent speed from the NextGen car. He said that issue has persisted for about five years.

He also questioned Busch’s hands-on role in setup work. Rather than reporting feel, Busch reportedly proposes specific changes to crew chief Jim Pohlman.

What Hamlin recommends

Hamlin advised Busch to focus on driving and describing car behavior. He said drivers should guide engineers, not replace them.

Hamlin admitted he has no inside answers. He stressed he is not Busch’s crew chief, engineer, or team owner.

Future options and comparisons

Hamlin said Busch will not return to Joe Gibbs Racing, where the two were teammates from 2008 to 2022. Busch’s contract at Richard Childress Racing ends this season.

Hamlin mentioned Spire Motorsports as a possible landing spot. He added uncertainty about Busch finding a team where he can consistently beat Dillon in equal equipment.

Hamlin compared Busch’s decline to Jimmie Johnson’s post-championship downturn around 2017. He suggested performance fades can come abruptly.

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