Amid a heated debate in the NASCAR world, Denny Hamlin publicly supported Dale Earnhardt Jr. after Kyle Busch criticized Junior’s achievement as crew chief at Pocono Raceway. The incident has ignited passionate responses across the fan base, making the topic of
“Kyle Busch criticizes Dale Jr Pocono triumph”
a rallying point for discussion in the racing community.
Tensions Rise After Kyle Busch’s Dismissive Comments
Dale Earnhardt Jr., known for his leadership at JR Motorsports, made headlines by stepping in as crew chief for Connor Zilisch during the Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway. He managed to guide the young talent to an impressive victory at the 2.5-mile track, often called the ‘Tricky Triangle’. While fans and much of the NASCAR community celebrated, Kyle Busch saw things differently and did not hold back in sharing his critical perspective.
“It’s all publicity, but spin it how you want it,”
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver.
Busch’s remarks pointedly targeted the media coverage surrounding Dale Jr.’s debut as a crew chief, suggesting the story might be overblown. Rooted in a longstanding rivalry that traces back to 2007, when Earnhardt Jr. joined Hendrick Motorsports and Busch was forced to exit the team, the tension between the two drivers has endured for nearly two decades. When discussing Junior’s impact at Pocono, Busch went so far as to say,
“He’s just going to be a warm body sitting on top of the box,”
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver.
This cutting statement ignited immediate backlash, especially given Dale Jr.’s enduring popularity. Busch later attempted to clarify his comments:
“This has nothing to do with any animosity towards Dale Jr. I’m referencing how silly the suspensions for crew chiefs are these days with all the technology they have to stay in contact with their teams.”
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver.
Despite this clarification, many found the initial criticisms hard to overlook, and supporters of Earnhardt Jr. quickly mobilized online.
Denny Hamlin Steps in to Recognize Dale Jr.’s Role
Denny Hamlin, a seven-time Cup Series winner at Pocono Raceway, quickly responded to Busch’s assertions and provided a nuanced view during his Actions Detrimental podcast. Hamlin, who understands the challenges of both racing and strategy at Pocono, acknowledged both the team’s efforts and Dale Jr.’s contribution.
Hamlin recognized that while Dale Jr. may not have played every traditional crew chief role, dismissing his participation was unfair. He emphasized that successful race strategy at a place like Pocono requires collaboration among the crew chief, engineers, and the team owner. Hamlin highlighted that Earnhardt Jr. played a part in managing both communications and race tactics, ensuring the No. 88 Chevrolet reached the checkered flag first.
Hamlin’s perspective resonated with many within the NASCAR community, refocusing attention on what it takes to win at the Xfinity Series level, especially with a driver as young and talented as Connor Zilisch and a team like JR Motorsports.
“You got to get the messages to the driver, and he (Junior) saw opportunities, strategy-wise, and he’s probably talking to the engineers about the strategy.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver and Podcaster.
Connor Zilisch Praises Dale Jr.’s Leadership at Pocono
For 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, the race was a significant milestone, marking his third victory in the Xfinity Series. Zilisch finished third in Stage 1, captured the win in Stage 2, and, after reclaiming the lead with just a few laps remaining, crossed the finish line by a half-second margin over his nearest competitor.
The young racer credited his success not just to his driving skills but also to the guidance and experience provided by Earnhardt Jr. on the pit box.
“Finally, all the cards fell our way today. We were able to get the lead with a few laps to go and set sail. It was such a cool race and having Dale in my ear. I definitely listened to what he said. He’s got way more experience than I do. He’s won here in a Cup car twice. He’s my crew chief; there’s no reason he’d give me bad information.”
—Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver.
Dale Jr. did more than simply call the race; he also got hands-on during pit stops, helping to pass a tire to the changer under high-pressure conditions. While Earnhardt Jr. has no immediate plans to take on the crew chief role full-time, this experience rekindled his passion for direct race involvement after years of focusing on broadcasting and team ownership.
“A lot of fun for me today.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., JR Motorsports Co-Owner and former NASCAR driver.
Fan Reactions and the Larger Impact on NASCAR
The public reaction to Busch’s comments and Hamlin’s subsequent defense illustrated how intertwined personalities and history are in the world of NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not only a proven driver with two Cup Series wins at Pocono but also a 15-time recipient of the Cup Series Most Popular Driver award. Taking a dig at someone with such a reputation, especially as he steps into new roles, was bound to provoke a response from one of the sport’s most passionate fan bases.
This episode also brought renewed attention to the evolving roles of crew chiefs in modern racing, where technology and communication tools blur the lines of traditional responsibilities. As the NASCAR season progresses, the debate over these roles and the recognition of leadership both on and off the track will likely continue.
For now, with strong voices like Denny Hamlin supporting him and drivers such as Connor Zilisch publicly showing gratitude, Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaves little doubt about the significance of his influence—not just for one victory, but for the continued success and excitement that fuel NASCAR at every turn.
