Denny Hamlin Addresses Kyle Busch Drama Ahead of Kansas Race

When it comes to NASCAR drivers, there are few who are as busy as Denny Hamlin. Driver, team owner, and of course, podcaster, Hamlin has to wear many hats. That might have earned him the scorn of Kyle Busch on and off the track.

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch had a complicated relationship as teammates. They were friendly and helped each other out, but they were often at odds with each other over who would be the top driver and other intrateam drama.

Now with Busch struggling at Richard Childress Racing for another season, Hamlin and his comments on his podcast have gotten him in a little bit of hot water. Busch even said he could make things difficult on track for Hamlin if he wants to go down that road. So, Sunday, Hamlin was asked to address those comments again.

"It's just such a hard tightrope," Hamlin responded on the Fox broadcast. "I knew when the subject came up, I'm like, how am I gonna tread this? Because I have to be honest to the people that tune in, that's why they listen, but I also have to go on the race track with him. And I felt like I was being gentle and trying to share the blame all around, because I think that there's enough to go around, right?

"I know this, is that I was teammates with Kyle Busch, and I know, he taught me by far more than any teammate I ever was with. He did. The reason I'm decent on these mile-and-a-halfs is because of Kyle Busch. So, I know what he's capable of and I know that he's not loving where he's at because he's a tough competitor. I'm rooting for him because the sport needs the old Kyle Busch."

Richard Childress Racing and Kyle Busch have not gelled together. They are almost like two magnets that refuse to stick together, pushing each other away instead of pulling each other together.

Is it just equipment? Was Denny Hamlin too harsh with his criticism after Bristol? Whatever it is, the words off the track could very well lead to moments on the track.