Overview
- Kyle Busch, speaking Saturday at Kansas Speedway, challenged Denny Hamlin to swap cars and warned he could make his life hell after hearing Hamlin’s podcast critique.
- Denny Hamlin replied on X that he is walking a tightrope as a driver who hosts a show and said he did not bash Busch with his comments.
- On Sunday’s Fox pre-race show, Hamlin praised his former JGR teammate and said he is rooting for Busch because the sport needs the version of him that used to win often.
- Hamlin’s original analysis said Busch has not consistently adapted to the standardized Next Gen car and should be able to outrun RCR teammate Austin Dillon in the same equipment.
- The exchange renewed focus on Busch’s 100-plus race winless skid, his 24th-place standing early in 2026 with no top-10s so far, and the added stakes of a contract year.