Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson have long been rivals on the racetrack, owing in large part to their status as two of NASCAR’s top drivers. However, in recent weeks, the two have come together on a few times, resulting in some heated moments.
During Stage 2 at Iowa, Hamlin, who was a lap down at the time, collided with Larson’s rear while the Hendrick Motorsports driver was leading. Then came this past Sunday’s race in New Hampshire, where the two were battling for position before the forecasted inclement weather hit.
You might say that Hamlin and Larson are developing a rivalry of sorts on the racetrack, though the Joe Gibbs Racing driver disagrees. Speaking on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast Monday, Hamlin denied there’s a rivalry between he and Larson, chalking it up to two competitors not giving each other an inch.
“It’s two guys racing each other hard for the win,” according to Hamlin. “Now, in Iowa, it was not a race for the win. I was a lap down and misjudged the middle of the corner. I botched up. However, the initial touch this week was unintentional. I’m not sure where the first one started. I definitely left him enough room off Turn 4, but that’s neither here nor there. I’m attempting to move away, and he’s hanging on the right rear. And it seems like I need three inches to clear here. But he’s trying to cling on, and I understand that he wants the best finish.
“Unfortunately, the crappy part about it is by him trying to hang on the right rear right there, it did cost him more spots in that one moment because at that point, I’m done screwing around with a car that I can’t see. They’re barely hanging on back there. And when I drive in deep, he drives in deep to stay on the right rear and not let me clear. Like, we’re just holding each other up here. I’d love to sit here and play grab-ass with you, but I can’t, it’s time to go. It’s just two drivers not giving each other an inch. And one inch would let the other clear and there would be no contact at that point.
“It’s not [a rivalry]. I like Kyle and listen, just watch the race and we all do this to each other all the time. I don’t know why there’s an emphasis, is it because we’re up front all the time? Maybe that’s it, but the 5 and 12 [Ryan Blaney] ran each other up the racetrack. It’s racing, it’s short-track racing — get over it.”
Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson heading in opposite directions after New Hampshire
As for whether Larson and his team considers it a rivalry, Hamlin simply does not care.
“I don’t care whether they do or don’t,” Hamlin said.
Neither Hamlin nor Larson found their way to Victory Lane at New Hampshire. Hamlin faded during the wet weather tire portion of the race while Larson couldn’t quite keep pace with eventual race winner Christopher Bell in the closing laps. Hamlin finished P24, while Larson took home fourth.
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