Overview
- Hamlin used his Actions Detrimental podcast on Tuesday to argue that Busch’s long slump marks a new reality for the two‑time champion.
- He said Busch’s core problem is extracting speed from the Next Gen model, which relies on common parts and punishes small setup misses.
- Results back the slide, with roughly 100 Cup starts since Busch’s last win at Gateway on June 4, 2023, and a fall to 24th in the standings.
- Early 2026 lows include a Daytona 500 pole that faded to 15th, a 34th after a crash at Atlanta, and a 25th at Bristol.
- Team strain is surfacing on the radio, with new crew chief Jim Pohlman heard at Bristol saying “Same sh*t every week,” as Hamlin also questions Busch’s post‑RCR options when his deal ends this season.