Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson have long been rivals on the race track, thanks to their status as two of NASCAR’s best drivers. But the two have clashed several times in recent weeks, resulting in some fiery crashes.
During the second stage in Iowa, Hamlin, who was a lap behind at the time, collided with the rear end of Larson as the Hendrick Motorsports driver took the lead. And during last Sunday’s race in New Hampshire, the two battled for position before bad weather was forecast.
You could say there’s something of a rivalry brewing between Hamlin and Larson on the track, but the Joe Gibbs Racing driver doesn’t agree. Hamlin denied there was any rivalry between him and Larson on the “Actions Detrimental” podcast on Monday. He attributed it to the fact that the two competitors aren’t going to give each other an inch. “We’re both just racing hard to win,” Hamlin said. “Iowa wasn’t a race to win.
I made a bad call a lap down in the middle of the corner and I messed up.” But my first touch this week was unintentional. I don’t know where the first one started. Sure I gave him plenty of space after Turn 4, but that’s not the issue. If I try to get away, he’s hanging on to my right back. It’s like I need three inches here to make space. But I understand he’s trying to hold on and wants to achieve the best result. “Unfortunately what went wrong was he tried to hang on to the right-back and at that point I was tired of messing around with the car I couldn’t see so he lost a couple of spots in that moment.
They’re barely holding on there. And then when I drive deep he stays at the right back and drives deep not to let me go. We’re kind of supporting each other here. I want to sit here and grab your ass and play with you, but I can’t, it’s time to go home. It’s two drivers who don’t give an inch to each other. And if even an inch of space is left for the other, there’s no contact at that point.
“It’s not (a rivalry). I like Kyle and just listening to and watching the races, we all race together all the time. I don’t know why this is being emphasized so much. Is it because we’re always at the front? Maybe it is, but the No. 5 and No. 12 (Ryan Blaney) passed me on the track. This is racing, this is short track racing, get over it.”
Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson heading in opposite directions after New Hampshire
Hamlin isn’t at all concerned about whether Larson and his team view it as a rivalry. “I don’t care if they do or not,” Hamlin said.
Neither Hamlin nor Larson made it to Victory Lane in New Hampshire. Hamlin faded during the wet-tire portion of the race, while Larson couldn’t keep up with eventual race winner Christopher Bell in the closing stages. Hamlin finished the race 24th and Larson finished fourth.
