When it comes to NASCAR playoffs, every race, every point, and every competitor’s move can make or break a driver’s championship dreams. As the playoffs are heating up, the spotlight is on Kyle Busch. He currently finds himself in the precarious 12th position, 26 points behind the all-important cutoff line. However, with Charlotte ROVAL on the horizon, Denny Hamlin recently shared insights into the challenges Kyle Busch will face and why this race could be a turning point in his playoff journey.

Kyle Busch, a name synonymous with NASCAR success, has had a roller-coaster playoff journey this season. From spinning at Texas Motor Speedway to a disappointing finish at Talladega, Busch has not been able to put a solid performance in the Round of 12. And now he is staring down at a race where he could be eliminated from the championship contention.

Denny Hamlin predicts Kyle Busch will face a tough challenge at Talladega

Unfortunately, Busch’s Talladega journey concluded with a disappointing 25th-place finish, mirroring his starting position. This setback puts him in a precarious position. He is 26 points adrift of the coveted playoff cutoff point. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the RCR driver needs an extraordinary performance at Charlotte ROVAL to keep his title hopes alive.

During a recent podcast episode, the conversation between the Joe Gibbs Racing star and his co-host Jared delved into the realistic expectations of movement in a single race, at a track like the ROVAL. Hamlin’s response was emphatic, “A ton, A ton, A ton…!” He emphasized the significance of stage points in this equation and hinted that drivers like Christopher Bell through Kyle Busch could be in contention for them.

When Jared asked if the race could see a movement of more than 22 playoff points, Hamlin said “Absolutely, because of the stage points. And more than likely, Bell through maybe Kyle Busch. It just depends on where Kyle qualifies. If he qualifies up front, if he leads the race early, he could potentially pit and still get stage points. But I don’t know, he needs 26.”

However, the threat for Kyle Busch lies with the group of drivers who won’t prioritize stage points. Factoring in the stage breaks, Hamlin added, “…There is going to be cars that flip the field. And what I think is that there’s gonna be 26 cars that don’t give a sh&t about stage points and will flip the field. And only these guys from Bell to Busch are gonna care about them.”

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While the focus is on the immediate playoff picture, Kyle Busch recently took a moment for self-reflection and spoke about what has made him lose his dominance.

Busch opens up about the main reason that has led to the end of his dominance on the track

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Despite his strong start with RCR in 2023, Busch’s recent performance has raised questions about his dominance. In a candid assessment of his season, Busch acknowledged the shift in the racing landscape.

In a media conference ahead of Talladega, Busch reminisced about the golden days when he could drive from the back of the field to the front, relying on his exceptional skill. However, he recognized that the current NASCAR environment is vastly different. He explained, “With this car, equipment, talent, and everything being so equal… SMT data, everybody seeing it and being so equal. It?s tougher than ever to pass the guy in front of you.”

In a brutally competitive field, Busch admitted that he had sometimes overextended himself, attempting to make up for the reduced margin for error. This approach, while driven by his unrelenting competitiveness, may have inadvertently hindered his race craft. “I guess that?s kind of been a bit of my demise, which is I don?t feel like I can do as much as I want to be able to do. Me over-trying has sort of hurt my race craft, if you will… Where I haven?t been finishing, frankly.”

READ MORE: Why 2023 Is Not a Failure for Kyle Busch Even if He Loses the Championship

As the playoffs progress and the challenges mount, Kyle Busch’s self-awareness and determination to adapt to the evolving NASCAR landscape will play a crucial role in his pursuit of a championship. So, do you think he will be able to make a place in the top 8 at ROVAL? Share your thoughts and predictions with us in the comments below.