“It's freedom of speech”: When Kyle Busch refused to apologize after threatening to kill Denny Hamlin 

After an action-filled weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, twelve drivers have moved on to the next round set to kick off on 29 September at Kansas Speedway. The three-race stint will come to an end at Charlotte Motor Speedway on 13 October, following which, eight drivers will compete to make the Championship 4.

Moreover, Charlotte has also witnessed some heated moments among drivers. The same happened in 2010, when Joe Gibbs Racing teammates, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch found themselves in an on-track squabble at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

With 10 laps to go in the non-point race, the Toyota stars were running one and two. Busch (18) attempted to snatch the lead from Hamlin (11) but got blocked by him, which forced him to run into the wall. A few laps later, things took yet another sour turn for Busch as he blew a tire and crashed. While Hamlin delivered a top-5 finish, Busch settled for a disappointing P14.

Busch minced no words as he threatened to kill Hamlin on the radio. When asked about the same during a post-race interview, the former said, via ESPN,

"It was the heat of the moment and that's who I am and that's my expression and I am not going to be sorry for what I say. It's freedom of speech."

"I was frustrated," Busch further explained. "It was a saying that is said a lot, and take it for what it's worth. It wasn't joking, but it wasn't going to happen. It wasn't meant (like I was going to kill him). With what? With my great looks?"

Kyle Busch missed the playoffs this year, for the first time since 2012. As of today, the two-time Cup Series champion stands 25th in the point standings. Although not a playoff driver, Busch has seven more races this year to end his winless streak.

NASCAR insider drops update following Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch fiasco

Kyle Busch and JTG Daugherty Racing's Ricky Stenhouse Jr. got involved in a fistfight at this year's All-Star event at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May. Stenhouse Jr., who allegedly started the brawl, was fined $75,000, and two of his crew members were suspended for two races.

Furthermore, Stenhouse Jr.'s father and former Sprint car driver, Ricky Stenhouse Sr. was suspended until further notice. According to a recent post by journalist Bob Pockrass on X, Stenhouse Sr. has been reinstated.

This means he will be allowed behind the garage and on the pit road on race days.

"Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s dad, who was suspended from NASCAR following the Kyle Busch fight at the all-star race in May, has been reinstated (which means he can be in the garage/pits during race weekends)," Pockrass wrote.

Like Busch, Stenhouse Jr. also remains winless this year. He, too, was unable to make the playoffs this year on points either.