Denny Hamlin Is A NASCAR 'Hack,' Kyle Larson Explodes After Wreck, Bubba Wallace Demands Answers, Samantha Busch Goes Cowgirl

You've got to be kidding me with that rain. Seriously, NASCAR fans didn't deserve that. We deserved to watch that race all the way to the end, because buddy, it was the best one I've seen in years.

That's right -- years. I said it, and I'm sticking by it.

Fair is fair, and I was tough on NASCAR last week because I thought the Chicago race was ... eh. Atlanta, though, was right in my wheelhouse.

From start to premature finish -- yes, go ahead, make the joke -- it was awesome. Non-stop action, passing, sliding up the track, near wrecks and, of course, actual wrecks.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- ever heard of him? -- said it multiple times during the race and I'll say it again now -- THAT was a damn good automobile race.

So, of course, why not have a major storm system sweep in with 100 laps to go and end it in the blink of an eye? Naturally, that's just the way it always works, I guess.

We can have nice things, but we don't get to keep them very long. Whatever. Congrats, Willy B.

We'll break down Atlanta here in just a bit, and get to a couple other items along the way.

Martin Truex Jr. called everyone clowns, so I think we should analyze that. The mob accused Denny Hamlin of driving like a pissed off teenager last night and he responded accordingly, so that also seems like something we should discuss.

What else? Kyle Larson exploded, Hooters Gianna and Ryan Blaney celebrated their three-year anniversary, Samantha Busch went cowgirl and we got some more fallout from Bubba Wallace stirring the pot.

All that sound good? Good!

Four tires, a big can of Sunoco racing fuel and maybe a damn dome for the next Atlanta race ... Monday Morning Pit-Stop -- the 'Damn You Mother Nature' edition -- is LIVE!

NASCAR fans deserved a better Atlanta finish. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

NASCAR strikes gold in Atlanta

Like I said, I try to call it as fair as possible around here. Thought last week wasn't as great as the typical media talking heads wanted you to believe, and thought last night was the best race in years.

Look, NASCAR has taken some big swings over the years. There have been some hits -- the ROVAL, the Coliseum (kinda) -- and some misses -- can we stop putting dirt on Bristol?

This one, though, has been an overwhelming success. Atlanta used to be great back in the day, but STUNK over the past few years. Since the repave and reconfiguration, though, it's been awesome.

Plain awesome.

Turning it into a mini-Daytona was the smartest thing NASCAR's done since, I don't know, ever? Seriously, I can't think of a decision that's worked out better.

I mean, look at this feedback.

Denny Hamlin is a hack, but is he?

That Darrell Waltrip tweet was a rollercoaster. Love DW. Absolute loose cannon.

By the way -- how great was Dale Jr. last night? He's usually really good in the booth, but when he gets to call a restrictor plate race like that it's so obvious how damn good he was at it.

Jeff Burton also made the comment that last night's race reminded him of late 90s-early 2000s Daytona, and I couldn't agree more.

OK, enough of the lovey dovey crap -- I have a reputation to uphold.

Denny Hamlin, you STINK!

Martin Truex Jr. is sick of all the NASCAR clowns

Denny Hamlin is probably the best superspeedway racer in the garage right now, so I don't know that accusing him of wrecking people at a place like Atlanta is gonna hold much weight.

Do love that everyone all of a sudden is using the word 'hack' again. Feel like that one is underappreciated and a lowkey zinger, so I'm here for it.

I think there are plenty of instances where Denny can be a hack -- bitching about Chase Elliott wrecking him when he openly admitted wrecking Ross Chastain is still laugh out loud funny -- but last night wasn't one of those times.

Speaking of crappy drivers -- Martin Truex Jr., how was your night?

Kyle Larson blows up and so does Bubba Wallace, in a different way

MTJ was awesome last night, by the way. That high line he was running in Stage 2 was insane racing. I tried like hell to find video for you guys but gave up. Maybe it's over on Threads?

There was, however, video of Kyle Larson seemingly exploding out of nowhere, which was certainly something.

Never seen a car really do that after a wreck, I'll be honest with you. All in all, it was a typical superspeedway night for Larson -- fast car, no luck.

Frankly, that's usually how it always goes for OutKick fan favorite Bubba Wallace, too. He's always excellent at these tracks, and he was pretty fast again Sunday.

And, of course, he LOVED the late rain delay just like the rest of us.

Angry Bubba Wallace is the best Bubba Wallace, in my opinion. I can do without the whiny, woe-is-me, dramatic Bubba. This one, though, is always a crowd pleaser.

Unfortunately for Bubba, he's not pleasing very many crowds these days.

Last week I told you about his comments before the Chicago race -- you know, the ones about diversity and inclusion in NASCAR?

Yeah, they went over exactly how I thought they would.

Samantha Busch goes cowgirl like the NASCAR OG she is

Oh no! Not LeBron James. You NEVER wanna be compared to LeBron in anything other than basketball.

Also, what's the "secret?" I need to know.

Moving on ...

Let's quickly check in with Samantha Busch on the way out. Our girl has been on an absolute heater the past few weeks and she's now followed Hooters Gianna and gone cowgirl.

Happy anniversary, Hooters Gianna and Ryan Blaney!

Stay cool, Sam. It's a scorcher out there!

Speaking of being hot and heavy, let's send out a big congrats to Rhino and Gianna on their three-year anny this past week.

Not sure why Blaney hasn't put a ring on this yet, but I'd suggest showing a little more hustle before Year 4 is through.

Just a suggestion.

Off to New Hampshire, which I can assure you won't be as good as Atlanta.