Kyle Busch has long been a force in NASCAR, grabbing two Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019 along with 63 career wins. But these days, the 40-year-old veteran’s recent runs are far from those glory days. Stuck in an 89-race win drought since his last victory in 2023 at Illinois, Busch’s time at Richard Childress Racing has brought just three triumphs in his first year there, none since. Fans who grew up watching his bold moves in the pre-Next Gen era now see a driver battling to recapture that edge.

Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin, another longtime pro with 20 years under his belt, keeps ageing like fine wine, delivering wins at 44. His six wins this year itself echo his hot streak from 2010 when he nabbed eight. Just three shy of Busch’s total Cup wins, Hamlin’s steady climb with Joe Gibbs Racing sparks talk of late-career magic for these two icons nearing the end. As their results contrast so sharply, one question lingers: what twists await Busch next?

To make everyone feel their contrast, NASCAR insider Stephen Stumpf tweeted a crazy comparison between the two veterans. “At the end of 2018, Kyle Busch (age 33) had 51 wins while Denny Hamlin (age 38) had 31 wins… I don’t think I ever could’ve imagined a scenario where Hamlin has a chance of surpassing him.”

At the end of 2018, Kyle Busch (age 33) had 51 wins while Denny Hamlin (age 38) had 31 wins.

I don’t think I ever could’ve imagined a scenario where Hamlin has a chance of surpassing him.

— Stephen Stumpf (@stephen_stumpf) October 13, 2025

Stumpf’s words hit hard, backed by Hamlin‘s breakout 2025 season’s six victories, which comprised Martinsville, Darlington, Michigan, Dover, Gateway, and that tearful Las Vegas clincher for his 60th overall. This number ties him with Kevin Harvick for 10th all-time, just three behind Busch’s 63. Once winless in his debut 2005 year, Hamlin built his tally steadily at JGR, hitting peaks like seven wins in 2020.

But then there’s Busch’s side, which tells a tougher tale, putting his future squarely in the spotlight, certainly not for the good reasons. After 15 years and 56 wins at JGR, he landed at RCR in 2023, hoping to chase more rings, but two winless seasons followed his three early successes there. At 22nd in 2025 points with only two top-fives and nine top-10s, he’s missed playoffs again, his longest drought ever at 89 races.

Both drivers entered Cup over 20 years ago, Busch in 2004 and Hamlin in 2005, yet Hamlin thrives on JGR’s stability and the Gen-7 car’s demands for precision, while Busch grapples with its limits on his aggressive style.

Kevin Harvick, another veteran, blamed Next Gen for Busch’s downfall: “I think this car has totally disrupted everything that has made Kyle Busch good… He could drive it over the limit, save the car and he could tell you every single thing that you needed to put in the car to make it go fast.”

Busch himself admitted the frustration after a mid-October crew chief swap from Randall Burnett to interim Andy Street, saying, “We’re not getting the results… It’s got to fall back on someone.” This news about both veterans’ contrasting career graphs has fans buzzing online, dissecting every lap and legacy twist.

How fans see the two contrasting veterans

Scrolling through replies to Stumpf’s post, one sentiment jumps out upfront. “Denny got Gabehart. Kyle went to RCR. Kyle will forever be the better driver. Denny with another equipment-based season, but I’ll give him credit for that Vegas win. Decently good driver.”

This take nods to crew dynamics: Hamlin stuck with Chris Gabehart until 2024, then thrived under Gayle for those six 2025 wins, while Busch’s RCR move swapped JGR’s top-tier shop for a mid-pack setup. His three RCR victories proved his talent, yet it’s not enough to match Hamlin’s.

“Then again. Denny has been at the same team for 2 decades, while Kyle Busch was only there for around 15 before getting dumped for a rich kid and sent to suffer at RCR.”

Hamlin’s 20-year JGR run let him rack up 60 wins with seven crew chiefs, building chemistry that Busch lost when JGR prioritized Ty Gibbs in 2023. Busch’s exit stemmed from sponsor shifts like M&M’s Mars pulling out, forcing RCR’s underfunded bid.

“We all thought Kyle was going to be the next driver in the 80s and maybe even get close to Gordon, but now it looks like he might not even get to 65. Crazy how much has changed.”

Early hype staged Busch for Jeff Gordon‘s 93 wins after his 2008 eight-victory tear, but the Gen-7 flipped the script for him. Busch’s 232 national series wins dwarf Gordon’s, yet Hamlin’s surge to 60 Cup wins threatens his 63.

Blame doesn’t stop at tracks, though; one user laid it raw: “Blame it on M&M Mars Co. leaving the sport, coupled with JGR’s inability to get a sponsor for a perennial championship threat. If he was at JGR, he’d likely be over 70 by now.”

Sponsors ditched after Busch’s 2022 clashes, like the All-Star brawl echo in 2024, tanking his leverage. Hamlin, meanwhile, locked Toyota loyalty to family ties and clean runs, funding JGR’s sim edge.

Finally, a sharp jab wrapped the debate: “While he may surpass his total, it says a lot about how much time they took to get those numbers.” Hamlin grinded 718 starts for 60 wins, averaging one every ~12 races, versus Busch’s quicker clip of one per ~10 over 677 outings.

Busch’s 2019 title came at 34 with peak speed; Hamlin’s 2025 Vegas tears, dedicated to his ailing dad, mark a slower but sweeter build. Time’s the equalizer here, turning rivals into mirrors for what’s next.