Busch handed his brother Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson within the closing laps on Sunday to claim his first win since joining the 23XI Racing team for 2022, that’s co-owned by Hamlin and basketball legend Michael Jordan.
It was solely the second win for the NASCAR group after Bubba Wallace took victory in a shortened Talladega race through the group’s debut season final yr.
Hamlin was competing in that race final yr, however after coming house fourth on Sunday, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, the three-time Daytona 500 winner was overcome by emotion following the chequered flag.
“Some of the enjoyable issues is having a entrance row seat to these closing 25 laps,” mentioned Hamlin.
“I imply, it was proper there in entrance of me. I’m pushing, as a result of actually I actually wished a one-two end like actually unhealthy, however my automotive simply wasn’t the place it was early within the day and the monitor rubbered up, and we simply weren’t nearly as good.
“That was the enjoyable half – seeing it and seeing it dwell. Sure, I’m watching it, and I’m simply, you, know, ‘Go, go.’ It’s such a bizarre feeling. However I checked out my lap occasions and I used to be doing my job.
“I wasn’t letting up in any respect and getting essentially the most out of the automotive I may, however you simply can’t assist however be emotional about it. Definitely there’s been no win that I’ve had that has equalled the feelings of this one for positive.”
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, FedEx Floor Toyota Camry
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
Hamlin, a 47-time NASCAR Cup race winner, admitted it was tough to clarify his feelings, however revealed that really racing on the monitor behind Busch, driving one among his automobiles to victory stirred up his emotions.
“I’ve clearly been excited for the Daytona 500, however I simply don’t know why this one simply feels larger to me,” he added.
“I believe a number of it’s as a result of I watched it dwell. I believe had I been on the opposite facet of the monitor and simply type of seemed on the pylon it will be one factor.
“However I had a entrance row seat to it. I don’t know. I’ve type of obtained a really powerful RBF [resting bitch face], yeah, and I don’t present my emotion rather a lot.”
shares
feedback