For fifteen years at Joe Gibbs Racing, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch anchored one of the most volatile dynasties in modern NASCAR history. But when Busch packed and moved to Richard Childress Racing; this very brotherly rivalry morphed into an absolute war of words. So when claimed on the Actions Detrimental podcast, “If you’re expecting Kyle Busch to just go back to Victory Lane on a regular basis, you are kidding yourselves,” it was no suprise, but it did feel like the final nail in the coffin. But then NASCAR has a funny way of changing gears.

After Busch finally managed to turn the leaf in the season and hop into the top 10 finishes, Hamlin offered an unexpected peace treaty to his former teammate.

“He said it backstage, and then he said it again on the stage. You know, his little comment of, ‘I guess I still know how to do it.’ I’m like, “Yeah, awesome job, man. It’s a good job.’ I don’t know what you’d say. I said you’re on the Mount Rushmore of NASCAR drivers. I mean, I think it’s awesome,” .

But to understand why this sudden truce is turning heads, you have to look at just how dark things had gotten for Kyle Busch.

“Rowdy” started the season trapped in the worst slump of his entire career. He went nine consecutive races without a single top-10 finish, leaving him standing at a dismal 27th position in the Cup Series standings. Those struggles were so deep that Hamlin had publicly wondered how a multi-time champion could be failing to outrun RCR teammate Austin Dillon on a week-to-week basis.

“Rowdy” started the season trapped in the worst slump of his entire career. He went on nine consecutive races without a single top-10 finish, leaving him standing at the 27th position in the Cup Series standings. Those struggles were so deep that Hamlin had publicly wondered how a multi-time champion could be even failing to outrun RCR teammate Austin Dillon on a week-to-week basis. And as for his current slump, the JGR driver felt that there were signs of his slump in the last few days at JGR. Hearing all of this fired up Busch.

“If Denny wants to switch cars, I’ll switch cars with him any day of the week, anytime. I would love for him to show me that he can carry it better than I can.”

But the truth was that for sure Kyle Busch needed the help, and so RCR decided to make a call. They ended up reassigning crew chief Jim Pohlman with Andy Street for the pit box for the No. 8 car. And well, let’s just say they just clicked, instantly.

After what seemed to be the worst start to a season in his entire career, Busch has finally managed to hop back into the top 10 finishes. A P8 at Watkins Glen is Rowdy’s best finish of the season so far, and he even won the truck race at Dover. All of this has happened ever since Andy Street took over as the crew chief.

And when asked by the media about what the secret sauce of this surge was, Busch couldn’t help but be sarcastic.

“I guess I just remembered how to drive,” Busch said, before giving credit where it was due. “It’s Street. I don’t know what he’s doing differently, you know?”

Kyle Busch to likely continue with RCR

“I’m full in; I’m all committed. I’ve never probably worked as much in these last four years as I did in 15 at JGR,” Kyle Busch recently said, commenting on the work he has done with Richard Childress Racing so far.

However, this was rather surprising.

Until his crew chief was replaced, it was understood that Busch would depart from RCR at the end of this season, given that he didn’t have a contract with the team for the future. Spire Motorsports was one of the teams he was associated with, considering his wins in the Truck Series with the team.

Additionally, it is apparent that Childress and Busch share a mutual dedication to making the team more competitive, and it seems to be working right now. Although his recent finishes do not make him a title contender this year in any way, it showcases a positive trajectory for the future. Moreover, Spire does not seem to be letting go of their current Cup Series lineup, despite the success Busch brings them in the Truck Series.

At the end of the day, Busch seems entitled to send out those indirect replies to Denny Hamlin, and it is also a positive sign for the sport to have the latter back to appreciating the ‘Rowdy.’