Denny Hamlin Says Kyle Busch’s Free Agent Options are Slim

What’s Happening?

Denny Hamlin discussed the future of former teammate Kyle Busch during the latest episode of his podcast Actions Detrimental, saying that he doesn’t know where Busch could land if he were to leave Richard Childress Racing at year’s end.

A storyline that has followed NASCAR fans from the 2025 season into the 2026 season is the future of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, who, in his four seasons at Richard Childress Racing, has failed to live up to lofty expectations.

Busch signed with RCR ahead of the 2023 season and had a hot start to his time with the team, winning three races in the early part of that season, but since his most recent win at Gateway that season, his average finish is 18.1.

Last season seemed like a breaking point for the two, as Busch was in a contract year. But, with a quiet market for open seats during the 2026 Silly Season, Busch opted to stay at RCR for at least another year.

Now in another contract season for Busch, the future Hall of Famer sits with a full-time Cup Series career low average finish of 22nd, with a Daytona 500 pole the only highlight so far in the early portions of 2026.

Throughout the year, fans have discussed where he could, or at least, should go, given the signs that his time at RCR is fizzling out.

During the latest episode of his podcast, Actions Detrimental, Busch’s former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Denny Hamlin, was asked the same question by his co-hosts, to which Hamlin responded, “Where’s he gonna go?”

Hamlin went on to say that despite the rumors of the major free agent season in the garage area, with rumors suggesting more than 20 drivers entered the season on contract years, he is unsure what “big team,” one better than RCR, would offer Busch a new spot.

“What big team is going to hire him?” Hamlin asked. “I know one that’s not, Gibbs, right, they’re happy with their lineup. . . Kyle’s 40 years old.”

While some fans might be surprised to think that Busch wouldn’t be a hot free agent, Hamlin reminded listeners that Busch’s situation is nothing new.

“This is not new news, though. We keep talking about this. In his last couple years at Gibbs, things were not good. This is not new… This is not, ‘oh my gosh, where is this coming from?’ This has been like this for five years. We have to have an honest conversation at some point.” — Denny Hamlin

Busch’s Free Agent Hunt

One rumor surrounding Busch is a potential spot at Spire Motorsports, which began in late 2025 and has dragged into this season, given Busch’s preexisting relationship with the team and its seemingly ever-changing lineup.

This team-up was once a dream for Busch fans. But now, some in the online NASCAR community are ruling it out.

That shift is largely due to Spire’s performance this season. Daniel Suarez, who many viewed as the Spire’s weak link entering the year, is currently inside the Chase cutoff (ahead of his teammate Michael McDowell).

There are also some more obscure options that fans have suggested online, such as Hendrick Motorsports bringing Busch into the team to fill out the No. 48, an idea most laugh at, given that the car’s current driver, Alex Bowman, is just as good, if not a better option statistically, compared to Busch.

While Busch could remain at RCR, many feel something has to give at the team soon, as prospect and reigning NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion Jesse Love looks set for a promotion to the Cup Series.

Love’s spot in Silly Season is a storyline in its own right, with rumors last season suggesting he could look to leave RCR to find his full-time ride, rumors still unfounded as we enter the early portions of the 2027 Silly Season.

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