“It’s gonna keep getting raised” – Denny Hamlin sparks rivalry flames with Kyle Larson after Nashville.
On a recent episode of his podcast, Denny Hamlin stoked the flames of his competitive rivalry with Kyle Larson. He mentioned that people can label their dynamic however they see fit, as he’s comfortable with their current racing style. Hamlin even hinted that he might step up his game further. He said he is going to race the same way, and in fact, the bar may even get raised.
Last week during the USA Today 301, in New Hampshire, as the two drivers approached turn 4. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson battled for the P2 position, going wheel to wheel and nudging each other, creating a nail-biting side-by-side race with 94 laps to go.
Initially, Denny Hamlin struggled to overtake, but on the following lap, he ramped up his efforts and moved into second place, albeit with some intense contact. The maneuver even triggered a bit of banter between Kyle Larson and his spotter, Tyler Monn.
This week, however, when Larson had a chance to even the score, he forced Hamlin’s #11 Toyota higher on the track as Stage 2 was winding down. The move annoyed Hamlin. Initially tempted to respond in kind, he decided against it after his crew chief Chris Gabehart advised him to keep his cool.During last week’s podcast, when Denny Hamlin’s co-anchor questioned whether there was a rivalry, Hamlin quickly dismissed the idea, saying:
“It is not a rivalry. […] It’s two guys racing each other hard for the win. […] It’s not. I like Kyle.”
This week, after Kyle Larson’s move, Denny Hamlin changed his answer to:
“I’m in this for the long haul. I’m fine with the way we’re racing. And… It’s going to keep going and it’s going to keep getting raised.”
When asked whether their exchanges on the track amounted to a rivalry, Hamlin responded:
“Sure, if you want to call it that.”
Denny Hamlin took a philosophical view after Kyle Larson retaliated at Nashville for last week’s skirmish
Following a 12th-place finish in the grueling 331-lap race, Hamlin acknowledged Larson’s actions as a tit-for-tat scenario. He explained, as reported by Bob Pockrass:
“I mean, it was an eye for an eye. I ran him up the track last week and he ran me up this week and it’s all good. I think, obviously he got into us and knocked us and the #22 and then I’m not sure if we wiped out the #1 (Ross Chastain) or not driving into (turn) 1; it’s all fun.”[at 0:09]
Jordan Bianchi from the Athletic also believes that the rivalry between Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin is important for NASCAR. On Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Dirty Mo. Media podcast, Bianchi emphasized the importance of high-profile rivalries in the sport:
“NASCAR needs this. NASCAR is better when it has great rivalries. You look at the history of NASCAR. […] Two of the best competing for the championship and they are slugging it out. Whether it was Petty vs. Pearson or Earnhardt vs. everybody or Earnhardt vs. Gordon in mid 90s, this is the best thing and this is what you need and you’ve got two of NASCAR’s most recognizable names across the spectrum.” [at 37:50]
With all the on-track action and the recent comments from Denny Hamlin on his podcast, it will certainly be intriguing to see how the dynamic between Larson and Hamlin evolves, balancing their competitive pushes on the track with their off-track camaraderie.
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