Denny Hamlin Agrees That “Heel of the Sport” Ross Chastain Might Dethrone Rowdy Kyle Busch

Despite getting tagged as the “Wrecking Ball” of NASCAR, Ross Chastain just cannot stop attracting controversies. Last Sunday at the Darlington Speedway, race leaders Ross Chastain and Martin Truex Jr made contact in Turn 3 and Turn 4. As a result, Truex Jr was spun across the apron while Chastain hit the wall. Although both the drivers suffered damage, it was the on-track collision between Chastain and Kyle Larson that once again put Chastain in the spotlight. And just like everyone else, Actions Detrimental host Denny Hamlin discussed the incidents on his podcast.

However, even though Hamlin is not exactly fond of Chastain, he and his co-host Jared Allen did try to provide an objective and unique angle to Chastain’s on-track antics. Explaining how many drivers do not give him room on the track because of their history with him, Hamlin admitted that Chastain is one of the drivers that the sport needs at the moment. Something that many would not have expected from him.

Denny Hamlin explains why NASCAR needs Ross Chastain

During the conversation, Jared Allen explained why he does not want Chastain to change his driving style. He said, “I do wanna say, I really hope that Ross does not change the way he races. Because I think what’s happening right now is phenomenal. As a whole.”

Surprisingly, agreeing to his co-host’s take on the Trackhouse Racing Team driver’s racing style, Hamlin said, “It’s great for the storyline. There’s just no question. We’re talking about it. This is what NASCAR needs, right? These types of storylines. You need someone to ruffle some feathers now and then. You’d think that it would be this guy, this week, that guy the next week. It just kind of ebbs and flows. Man! He is a magnet for it.”

Chiming in on Hamlin’s take on Ross and the impact he has on the sport, Allen further added, “Yeah, I think he should just continue to race like a ***** and embrace the personality. Because the sport really doesn’t have that anymore.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Ross Chastain Shoots 5-Word Warning to Kyle Busch as NASCAR Media Is Accused of “Stirring the Pot” Amid Daniel Suarez Feud

Has Chastain dethroned Kyle Busch? 

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Furthermore, Jared Allen talked about how some drivers get booed at most of the driver introductions before the races. However, he pointed out that those boos had nothing to do with any on-track incidents. Citing how two-time Cup Series winner Kyle Busch was once the most-hated driver, Allen added that Busch now gets significantly less boos since his switch from the #18 car.

He added, “You would have agreed that of all the top drivers of the sport, Ross right now is the biggest heel of the sport. Maybe not now as of for all the fans. And I think the sport needs that. And I don’t think Kyle is that anymore..is what I am kind of getting at. He kind of were in my opinion.”

Further explaining the difference between Chastain and Busch, Hamlin said, “Kyle Busch is one of the most respectful drivers on the racetrack. He’s like the Jimmie Johnson type guy. He kicks a** and wins races. And he really doesn’t make a whole lot of contact. He just had the black hat because of his persona, I think, out of the race track.”

Although Hamlin did not deny that Chastain, at present is the heel of the sport, the rulebreaker, the “bad boy,” he went on to explain how Busch’s off-track persona earned him the hatred of the fans.

Who do you think wears the black hat in NASCAR in the 2023 season? Let us know in the comments below.

READ MORE: ‘Crybaby’ Kyle Larson Divides Fans as Ross Chastain Dethrones Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott in One Race