Denny Hamlin Honors Kyle Busch with Special Tribute Following Michigan Win

In a standout performance at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, Denny Hamlin not only secured his place in NASCAR history but also paid heartfelt tribute to his late former teammate, Kyle Busch. Hamlin crossed the finish line with an impressive lead, finishing more than 11 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor, and was greeted by a crew member carrying a special flag. This flag, emblazoned with the number 18, symbolizes Busch's legacy, merging the two numbers he famously raced with during his career.

Kyle Busch, who tragically passed away on May 21 at the age of 41 due to pneumonia complications, spent a significant part of his career racing the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, where he clinched two Cup Series championships. In recent years, he drove the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, and Hamlin's flag honored both of these iconic numbers. The tribute was particularly poignant as Hamlin and Busch were teammates at Gibbs from 2018 to 2022.

After his victory, which marked the 63rd of his career, putting him in a tie for ninth place in all-time wins with Busch, Hamlin elaborated on the inspiration behind the flag. He shared that the planning began the Monday after his previous win at Nashville. “I appreciate RCR letting us use the stylized 8 with the Joe Gibbs Racing the 1. It was just a happy balance that I felt good about when it all came out,” Hamlin remarked. He expressed a desire to honor Busch, saying, “There’s nothing we can say or do that’s going to make his family feel better, but at least during that little time, you can pay him the respects that he deserves.”

Hamlin, who sported a hat featuring the stylized No. 18, indicated this was a one-time tribute and unlikely to be available to fans. Reflecting on the competition, he joked that Busch would have been upset about him surpassing him on the all-time wins list, quipping, “He would have been pissed today, absolutely.”

This victory also highlights Hamlin's exceptional season, marking his third win and positioning him close to the top of the point standings, where he is chasing Tyler Reddick, the driver of the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by Hamlin and NBA icon Michael Jordan.