Denny Hamlin is a prominent NASCAR driver. He has had a successful career in the sport, amassing 49 wins in NASCAR’s top flight. However, one aspect that has eluded him is a championship title.
This is in contrast to his former teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), Kyle Busch, who achieved great success during his time with the team. He secured 56 wins and two championships.
Given the contrasting achievements of Hamlin and Busch at JGR, it is natural to wonder if Hamlin ever felt frustrated or doubted himself in light of his teammate’s successes. It’s neither yes nor no.
Dear Denny Podcast
During a segment on his podcast show called ‘Dear Denny,’ Hamlin spoke about a question about whether he got frustrated with the success of another JGR driver, Christopher Bell.
Hamlin said that he didn’t feel frustrated. Furthermore, he believed his own performance was on par with Bell’s. However, they hadn’t been able to translate their strong performances into consistent finishes.
However, Hamlin acknowledged that there have been times in the past when he did feel frustrated with his teammates’ successes. He specifically mentioned instances when Kyle Busch joined JGR and when Matt Kenseth had a successful season in 2013.
Hamlin admitted that it can be frustrating when other drivers in the same equipment consistently outperform you. Furthermore, he doubted himself during those times. He cited the year 2018 as a particularly challenging period. In that year he had a hard time maintaining strong race performances despite qualifying well.
However, Hamlin noted that things changed in 2019, and he and his team became more competitive. He emphasized that since then, they have been as fast, if not faster, than anyone else on the track.
Hamlin pointed out that he has accumulated a lot of wins during this period, although Kyle Larson may have a slight edge in recent years. Overall, Hamlin has become more confident in his abilities and has overcome his previous doubts.
Hamlin’s Tribute to Kyle Busch
Hamlin also paid tribute to his former teammate Kyle Busch. He spoke about his gratitude for the impact he had on his own development as a driver. Hamlin stated that Busch made him a better race car driver, highlighting their different strengths.
People know Hamlin as a skilled driver on short tracks, while Busch excelled on larger tracks. They shared their knowledge and expertise with each other, which ultimately improved the performance of the entire team at JGR. Hamlin also said that a huge portion of his success can be attributed to his influence and collaboration with Kyle Busch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there may have been moments of frustration and self-doubt for Denny Hamlin in the face of his former teammate Kyle Busch successes at Joe Gibbs Racing. However, he has overcome those challenges and continued to excel in his career.
Hamlin has become more confident in his abilities and remains grateful for the impact Busch had on his development as a driver. The experiences and collaboration with Busch have made Hamlin a better driver. Lastly, he continues to strive for a championship title in NASCAR.
Also read: Tragedy on the Track: Remembering Craig Breens Legacy in the World Rally Championship
