During a tense evening at Richmond Raceway, Kyle Busch experienced another setback in his 2025 campaign, leaving longtime friend and former teammate Denny Hamlin visibly concerned. The incident has brought renewed attention to Busch’s performance issues, as the driver continues to grapple with a series of mishaps on the track—an ongoing theme in the Kyle Busch struggles at Richmond Raceway saga.
Hamlin’s Worry Over Busch’s Tough Night
At Richmond Raceway, Kyle Busch found himself in the center of controversy once more, drawing reactions not just from fans but from Denny Hamlin, who knows Busch well both on and off the track. On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin expressed how close he came to reaching out directly to Busch after witnessing his on-track troubles.
“I was gonna text him and I was gonna say ‘Are you okay?’”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin recounted a particularly strange moment under caution during the Cook Out 400. He explained,
“It was so weird. We were under caution and I felt ‘Boom!’, I’m like ‘What the hell?’ I guess he was warming his tires up and just [expletive] doorslammed the [expletive] out of me.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Steven Taranto, a NASCAR reporter, provided additional context, noting that Busch checked up behind Alex Bowman prior to the Lap 196 restart. Hamlin, in the wrong place at the wrong time, caught the tail of Busch’s sudden move, which resulted in an unintentional collision.
The Sequence of On-Track Incidents
The contact between Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin unfolded on lap 196 of the 400-lap Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. According to Steven Taranto, Busch’s attempt to adjust for Alex Bowman forced a swerve, which inadvertently brought him into Hamlin’s side. These kinds of mishaps have become a worrying pattern for Busch in the 2025 season and only raised more questions when, just two laps after the initial incident, the race descended into chaos.
In the aftermath of the initial contact, a 12-car pileup erupted, lurching Busch and several notable drivers—including Brad Keselowski and Hamlin—into the melee. Although Busch was not deemed responsible for the crash, the event felt like yet another installment in a campaign filled with errors and ill-timed circumstances. Aggressive approaches and small mistakes in the pits have continued to trouble Busch, causing frustration for both him and his supporters.
While Austin Dillon, Busch’s teammate at Richard Childress Racing, managed to secure a victory and a playoff berth, Busch had to settle for a 16th place finish. For a former two-time Cup Series champion, these weekly setbacks have become a source of deep concern for those who follow the sport closely, and for Hamlin, whose long history with Busch makes the struggle feel personal.
Longtime Relationship Heightens Concern
Denny Hamlin’s time as a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, sharing the garage and racetrack with Kyle Busch for fifteen seasons, allows him a unique perspective on ‘Rowdy’s’ recent misfortunes. Their time as teammates brought multiple successes—Busch snagged two championships, and both drivers were contenders year after year. This established background is why Hamlin’s worry has taken on a serious and uneasy tone.
Hamlin underscored his feelings about the situation on his podcast, saying,
“He ran into us under caution. Unintentional, obviously. Then, down the backstretch, we didn’t really talk about the big wreck, but I don’t know… I don’t know, man. It’s tough to say, it just, it doesn’t, I don’t know. Doesn’t look right.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Observers and drivers alike are noticing that Busch appears less steady and confident than during his prime years. The Richmond event reinforced these perceptions, as Busch’s car seemed unpredictable and his split-second choices placed him at the epicenter of trouble throughout the night.
Implications for Busch’s Season and Playoff Hopes
While Denny Hamlin ended the night with a 10th place finish, his mind was focused on his struggling former teammate. He has made it clear that his concern is not about controversy or stirring rumors but about seeing a champion and friend in turmoil. With only one race left before the postseason at Daytona, Busch’s chance to rescue his playoff hopes hangs by a thread. The events at Richmond have only made his path more treacherous, leaving fans and insiders alike uneasy about what comes next for one of NASCAR’s most recognized drivers.
