"We've lost our Kobe Bryant."

This comparison by Denny Hamlin was one of the most heartfelt ones that came after Kyle Busch's tragic passing. The comment came against the backdrop of a discussion about Busch’s unique racing style and its impact on the team.

Hamlin initially praised the late legend’s driving prowess and instantly admitted that Busch’s greatness was something even competitors struggled to explain fully. “Some people are just more skilled than others,” Hamlin said. “And he was just far more skilled than 99.9% of the people that did it.”

Just as Bryant was seen as one of basketball's most gifted players, Hamlin described Busch, too, as perhaps one of the most naturally talented race-car drivers he had ever seen.

The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran then reflected on just how difficult Busch was to beat, even as teammates. “I was teammates and got beat by him more times than I beat him,” Hamlin confessed. “I don’t know, he was exceptional in what he did.”

Hamlin also stressed how little influence from those around you can change the trajectory of your life. “He had his brother to kind of push off of. That probably was super helpful,” Hamlin explained. “He got to race all kinds of different cars when he was younger, started at a very young age.”

Yet for Hamlin, Busch represented something else, something impossible to quantify or teach. “There’s still that it factor that can’t be learned,” he admitted emotionally. “And that’s what kind of sets him apart from everyone else.”

This alloy of Kyle Busch’s greatness can be witnessed across the sport. However, his comparison with Kobe feels incomplete. Let’s take a look at how both the late stars were closer than you had imagined.

Fans notice eerie Kobe Bryant similarities after Kyle Busch comparison

As these conversations around Denny Hamlin spread online, fans began to react to a list of weird coincidences between Busch and Bryant.

For example, a viral post on social media rightfully pointed out that both Bryant and Busch were 41 years old, shared the initials “KB,” and were both closely associated with the number 8 during their careers.

There are some comparisons also that point out that Bryant had defeated an insurance company in court, which was eerily similar to Busch, who had done the same a few weeks ago. But the correction is, Bryant fought a pharmaceutical company over the rights to use his "Black Mamba" nickname.

Busch, on the other hand, had recently settled an $8.5 million lawsuit against Pacific Life, alleging that he and his wife Samantha were misled into buying life-insurance policies that were marketed as retirement plans.

What many fans viewed as something too emotional, for many, it was a necessary conversation using humor to nudge closure. For one thing is certain, there will never come a time when Busch is not missed.

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest

Written by

Uday Jakhar

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason