Kyle Petty sends strong message to Denny Hamlin on NASCAR changing of the guard

Kyle Petty had a message for Denny Hamlin after what he saw from him and the young drivers at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday. On his debut episode of Kiss My Asphalt, Petty said he hoped that Carson Hocevar would do one thing before Hamlin achieves one big career mark.

“Ross Chastain appreciates the opportunity that he has. He appreciates it, he embraces it, and that’s good for the sport,” Kyle Petty said about Chastain, who won the Coca-Cola 600. “Carson Hocevar is going to be the same way. He’s going to appreciate it, he’s going to embrace it, he’s going to run with it.

“We see Tyler Reddick, we see these young drivers are hungry. It’s a changing time in this sport, and we are very blessed to be able to be here a see it. I love Denny Hamlin, I hope he gets to 60 (wins). But I’m telling you something, I hope Carson Hocevar gets his one or two before Denny gets to 60.

Denny Hamlin missed out on potentially winning the Coca-Cola 600

Hamlin has 56 NASCAR Cup Series race wins and came close to winning his 57th on Sunday. After leading for 53 laps, Hamlin had a fuel tank mishap on pit road, leading him to save fuel and finish 16th at Charlotte.

“I mean, they’re the pros. I’m not a pit guy, but I tried to do everything I could for the National Debt Toyota Team,” Hamlin said after the race. “Fun battling up front. It was a heck of a battle there and would have liked to see it through, but unfortunately just didn’t get enough gas in it and had to come back in.”

Carson Hocevar has shown he can hang with the veterans, but Denny Hamlin is not slowing down anytime soon. He has won two races this year and is near the top of the NASCAR Cup points standings. Hamlin has accomplished nearly everything in his NASCAR Cup Series career but is still seeking his first championship as a driver. He will be in the playoffs again this year, so will this be Hamlin’s time to win it all?