Denny Hamlin pays tribute to Kyle Busch at Michigan after tying late driver’s Cup Series wins originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
As NASCAR drivers battled in Michigan on Sunday, Denny Hamlin’s victory was more than just a simple win.
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Hamlin is one of many drivers who continue to mourn the loss of Kyle Busch, who passed away suddenly on May 21st after complications from severe pneumonia. Busch’s death came so suddenly that drivers like Hamlin had to find away to process losing someone so close to the community.
Hamlin continued his strong season with the victory, getting a second-straight win to produce his 63rd cup series win. In the process, Hamlin reached a milestone that he now shares with Busch, and it allowed him to honor his friend post-race.
Here’s how Hamlin paid tribute to Kyle Busch on Sunday.
MORE: NASCAR world honors Kyle Busch
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Denny Hamlin tributes Kyle Busch after win
Hamlin came out victorious in Michigan on Sunday, marking his fourth Cup Series win of the year. Hamlin now has 63 NASCAR Cup Series wins, tying Kyle Busch for the ninth-most all time.
After Hamlin crossed the finish line, he immediately paid tribute to Busch, who died suddenly a few weeks ago. First, Hamlin said “We Love You, KB” into his radio as he was understandably emotional.
Hamlin then broke Busch’s No. 18 flag and did a lap waving it to further honor his late friend.
Hamlin was Busch’s former teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing an a close friend of the NASCAR legend. After Busch died, Hamlin was outspoken with how much the driver meant to not only him, but to the entire NASCAR community.
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“I just think Kyle, and his influence in the sport, we’re just now starting to see it,” Hamlin told ESPN’s Marty Smith. “I just know that, certainly, he made me the race car driver I am today,”
The NASCAR community continues to mourn Busch, who was such a monumental figure in the sport for over two decades.
