Bristol has transformed from just another NASCAR race venue to something extraordinary after Sunday’s thrilling Food City Dirt Race event. While Kyle Busch‘s spin-outs in two stages right after each other showed how difficult the newly constructed concrete track was, other Cup racers expressing their distress post-race further solidified the 2024 race’s unforgiving nature. However, despite the hiccups along the way, what caught everyone’s attention was Denny Hamlin’s victory, prompting even the legendary Kyle Petty to suggest that the No.11 racer belongs in the Hall of Fame even though he hasn’t clinched a Cup championship yet.

Denny Hamlin has a place among the greats

In the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR took a nostalgic turn back to its roots on Sunday night. It brought back memories of a different NASCAR era when the race moved back to the concrete surface. And replicating nearly the same conditions, this year drivers struggled on the road the whole time, making unusual efforts to save their tires compared to previous races. Putting all the hurdles behind him, Denny Hamlin clinched his second consecutive victory at Bristol and his nail-biting winning knock got “GOAT” level acclaim from racing icon Kyle Petty.

The thrill of the most recent short track race transported Kyle Petty back to his 1992 racing days. He exclaimed, “It’s Bristol baby and we’re throwing it back to 1992, not dirt. We’re back on the concrete when they went to concrete in 1992.” Amidst all the smart and aggressive driving, Petty singled out Denny Hamlin, who ran to the limits of his tires but never beyond. Petty couldn’t help but dub the 43-year-old a potential Hall of Famer by noting, “That’s why Denny has won so many races. That’s why Denny Hamlin is a Hall of Famer. Believe me, a Hall of Famer.“

With 342 top-10 finishes under his belt, Hamlin scored his 52nd win after flying the checkered flag at BMS. While it’s a disappointment that Denny hasn’t secured a championship yet, Kyle Petty didn’t hesitate to rank him among the greatest of all time. The 63-year-old reiterated, “That’s why Denny Hamlin, whether he ever wins a championship or not. Will be one of the greatest race car drivers ever to set his rear end in a car because of what you saw Sunday afternoon. He painted the outside, he painted the inside, he painted around people, he painted in front of people. He did everything he had to do.”

However, this isn’t the first time the seasoned NASCAR veteran, Kyle Petty, has ranked drivers as the greatest of all time. Previously, Petty publicly favored Kyle Busch over Kyle Larson following the Las Vegas race, dubbing Busch as the “GOAT”.

Kyle Petty once declared Kyle Busch as NASCAR’s ultimate racing driver

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The discussion of who is the “Greatest Race Car Driver” in NASCAR’s history resurfaced last time after the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. After his win in Sin City, many people thought Kyle Larson should be considered as the leading candidate. However, despite finishing 26th in the race, two-time Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch was crowned the “GOAT” by veteran driver Kyle Petty.

Larson, who is now 31 years old, has won 24 races and a Cup Series Championship. With 18 victories under his belt, 10 of which came in his first year with Hendrick Motorsports, he holds an outstanding record, particularly since joining the organization. Larson has accomplished a lot, but Petty still considers Busch the “greatest” since Busch is still going strong at age 38.

Kyle Petty noted while comparing them, “We talk about Kyle Larson being the greatest race car driver on the face of the earth at this point in time. You read it in any paper, you pick it up, you see it all the time. 31 years old, 24 wins, one championship. Kyle Bush – 38 years old, seven years older, 63 wins, two championships. Once he [Larson] surpasses Kyle Busch, I’ll give you that he’s one of the greatest race car drivers on the face of the earth.”

Who do you think deserves the title of the greatest race car driver? Let us know in the comments below!

2024 Food City 500: Denny Hamlin Crowned Concrete Bristol’s Victor as Forgotten ‘Driver-Tire Management’ Tactic Resurfaces