Clint Bowyer is excited about what’s to come at Kansas Speedway, especially as the NASCAR playoffs head into the Round of 12. After a somewhat lackluster race in Bristol, both fans and Bowyer are looking forward to what promises to be an electrifying race. With Kyle Larson back to his winning ways and Denny Hamlin finishing strong at the cutoff race in fourth place, Bowyer believes the old rivalry between these two championship contenders is about to flare up again.
This season, Larson and Hamlin have been trading victories. Although things cooled down a bit recently, Bowyer sees Kansas as the perfect setting for a fierce battle between these two top drivers. According to him, the Kansas Lottery 300 could reignite the championship rivalry and deliver the high-stakes racing everyone’s been waiting for.
Sparks May Fly Between Hamlin and Larson in Kansas
The recent race in Bristol left many NASCAR fans wanting more action, and Kansas Speedway seems poised to deliver. Earlier this year, this very track hosted one of the most thrilling finishes in stock car racing history. With a mere 0.001-second gap, Kyle Larson edged out Chris Buescher to take the win, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Denny Hamlin, who finished fifth in that race, is now Larson’s main rival.
The last time Hamlin and Larson faced off at Kansas, things got heated. On the final lap, Hamlin made contact with Larson’s #5 car, sending it into the wall and claiming the victory for himself. Then, in Pocono, Hamlin once again pushed Larson aside in the closing laps to secure a win. With Kansas coming up, the site of their first major clash, Bowyer believes this could be where the rivalry between these two drivers truly boils over.
On a recent episode of NASCAR Daily with Shannon Spake, Bowyer shared his thoughts on the upcoming race. He emphasized that Kansas Speedway, with its chaotic restarts and tight racing, is the perfect track for a showdown. He stated, “I’d tell any fan, if you’re going to watch your first NASCAR race, make it at Kansas Speedway. I believe it’s the best product we have right now, especially since the track was repaved. The restarts are absolutely chaotic—three, four, maybe even five-wide. You’re going to see it all at Kansas.”
Bowyer went on to highlight that fans have already witnessed some of the closest finishes in NASCAR history at Kansas. He mentioned Hamlin’s previous run-ins with Larson at this track, recalling how Hamlin knocked Larson out of the way to secure a victory. “These are two championship favorites,” Bowyer added, “so we might just see the gloves come off at Kansas Speedway once again.”
Kansas Speedway: A Hotbed for Drama
Kansas Speedway underwent significant changes back in 2012, including a complete repaving of the track. The new variable banking, ranging from 17 to 20 degrees, replaced the old uniform 15-degree banking, completely altering the dynamics of the race. Initially, drivers were skeptical, believing it would take time for competitive racing to return. However, Kansas Speedway has now settled into its new identity, and the racing this weekend promises to be intense.
With the track’s unique layout and history of tight, action-packed finishes, Kansas is set to be the most exciting race of the playoffs so far. Both Larson and Hamlin showed strong performances at Bristol, making it clear that they’re in top form heading into Kansas. These two drivers have shaped much of this season’s championship narrative, with their combined wins making them the top contenders. As the Round of 12 kicks off, all eyes will be on Larson’s #5 and Hamlin’s #11 to see who comes out on top.
Who Will Take Kansas: Larson or Hamlin?
This season has seen the rivalry between Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin reach new heights. While Larson is willing to move past their conflicts, he’s demanding more respect from Hamlin. After the Pocono incident where Hamlin’s aggressive move led to his victory, Larson expressed frustration, saying he deserved to be “raced with respect.” Larson hasn’t forgotten the multiple times they’ve clashed this season, saying, “I’ve never had to apologize; he’s always been the one reaching out to me after.”
Hamlin, on the other hand, seems to thrive on the competition. He enjoys the aggressive racing between himself and Larson and has shown no signs of holding back. At New Hampshire earlier this season, Larson didn’t shy away from returning the favor, aggressively challenging Hamlin’s Toyota.
As the playoffs advance, this rivalry is only going to intensify. Historically, Hamlin has had the edge in the playoffs, but Larson’s five victories this season, including a dominant performance in Bristol, make him a serious threat. While Hamlin has the playoff experience, Larson has momentum on his side, and Kansas Speedway could be the perfect place for these two titans of NASCAR to settle their score.
With everything on the line, the Kansas race will likely be one of the defining moments of the playoffs. Whether it’s Larson or Hamlin who emerges victorious, one thing is certain—fans are in for a thrilling ride.
