Denny Hamlin dedicates NASCAR win at Michigan to Kyle Busch - ESPN

BROOKLYN, Mich. — There were no boos for Denny Hamlin after this winning burnout at Michigan International Speedway.

Holding a black No. 18 flag out the window, the Joe Gibbs Racing star celebrated his 63rd career victory by smoking the tires of his No. 11 Toyota down the straightaway in honor of Kyle Busch, his late teammate whom he tied for ninth on the all-time win list in the NASCAR Cup Series.

«Truthfully, I had to outlive him to tie him,» said Hamlin, who radioed, «We love you, KB» on his victory lap. «He was an amazing teammate. He taught me so much at tracks like this. I just can't say enough.»

It was the second consecutive victory for Hamlin and his second straight win at Michigan, where he celebrated last year by taunting fans who booed him.

But there were only raucous cheers from the frontstretch grandstands Sunday as Hamlin jogged up to the flag stand to get the checkered flag while still carrying his Busch tribute flag.

Busch drove the No. 18 from 2008-22 for Gibbs, teaming up with Hamlin for a NASCAR-record 523 races. Busch's death May 21 rocked the NASCAR industry, which was already grieving over the offseason deaths of Greg Biffle and his family in a plane crash. Hamlin's father also died in a Dec. 28 house fire.

Noting that Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett also died last week, Hamlin dedicated his third win this season to Busch and his family.

«The offseason, it was rough for me, and it was rough for the NASCAR family,» Hamlin said. «Just an unbelievable feeling to be able to strap in every week, and I don't take it for granted, this opportunity that I'm in. I just love we're making the best of it.»

Made it happen in Michigan.