Published 02/11/2023, 4:38 AM EST
Surely, Kyle Busch leaving Joe Gibbs Racing had to have been a big blow for the legendary team. After all, the man was a two-time Cup champion with a lot of juice still left in his tank, something which will be pretty evident in his time at Richard Childress Racing. With Busch gone, JGR is left in an interesting spot. They have two veterans in Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr., and two promising youngsters, Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell.
This, for many, would be an ideal scenario, including for Hamlin himself.
In a recent interview on the NASCAR Race hub, the #11 driver was asked how life has been at JGR after the departure of Busch. And Hamlin’s response should not only come as a relief for the worried JGR fans, but it should also cheer them up for what is going to be an exciting future.
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CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 28: Denny Hamlin (#11 Joe Gibbs Racing FedEx Ground Toyota) looks on during practice for the running of the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 28, 2022, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC.(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Denny Hamlin claims life after Kyle Busch is “good”, predicts Hendrick-like success
As for how life is without Kyle Busch in Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin said, “It’s good.” But instead of explaining the absence part of Busch in the team, the veteran driver chose to highlight the positives in the team at the moment as well as what lies ahead.
“I think Christopher Bell is doing a good job of showing his talents and he’s really taken the next step over the last few years. I think Joe Gibbs Racing is in good hands, both in the short term with me and Martin (Truex Jr.) still there and in the long term with Christopher and Ty (Gibbs),” he said.
“They’ve got talent.”
CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 20: Ty Gibbs (54) of Joe Gibbs Racing speaks to the media during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff Media Day on Sep 20, 2022, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Joe Gibbs Racing could follow the Hendrick model of success
Denny Hamlin claimed that people got used to a version of Joe Gibbs Racing, which had four Hall of Famers at one point in time, a version that is now a thing of the past.
“This is a new time. Hendrick went through the same re-building process with their team and now it showing fruit in this time,” he said. “I think that it will go through a transition, but certainly, I believe we will make sure that we take care of Ty and take care of Christopher as they’re starting to learn things.”
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Hamlin also revealed that while he was working with Ty Gibbs in 23XI Racing last season, the youngster was pretty curious and always asked him questions. “I told Coy and Joe, I’ll take care of him, make sure he’s prepared to get in the Cup Series next year,” he said.
All in all, it seems the future could be bright for JGR. As for how bright it would be?
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Only time will tell.