In NASCAR, just as there are iconic drivers, there are iconic rivalries! And who knows better about rivalries than Dale Earnhardt Jr—after all, he saw it up close with Geoff Bodine and his dad! And, now about Larson and Hamlin, he says that a rivalry is definitely on, and according to him, it’s not been on the makes recently or at New Hampshire but rather circles back to last year at Pocono. What we saw in New Hampshire and Nashville was just a resurgence.
At Nashville Superspeedway, we saw a lot of surprises, with one being the winner! But what everyone is talking about is Hamlin and Larson’s on-track battle. And also the fact that Hamlin didn’t retaliate against the HMS driver’s attack. Well, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has the answers to why he didn’t!
What did Gabehardt say to stop Hamlin on the track?
Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson are the top contenders in NASCAR right now. As such, they are always battling it out and heading neck-to-neck for the same goal. Sometimes clashes do occur, but lately, there’s been a distinct increase in these incidents. It all started in New Hampshire when they both were battling it out for the second spot, and Hamlin got into heavy contact with Larson. While Larson didn’t make a move on him, his spotter didn’t appreciate it, and on the radio, he said that Larson gets shoved by Hamlin every time because he lets him do it.
At Nashville, it seems Larson was out for some good old revenge. And when he did find the opening to a possible attack, the attack is what he did—he ran Hamlin’s car up the track! Everyone expected retaliation, but why didn’t Hamlin do anything?
Here’s what Dale Earnhardt Jr thinks of the cars being more “delicate” than we know them to be. He took everyone behind the looking glass at how Josh Berry and Stenhouse Jr were involved in one such battle in Iowa, and when Berry had shoved Stenhouse Jr from behind, he was the one bearing the front for it.
Well, given that Hamlin is not one to not respond to an attack, Junior’s response just connects the pieces of the puzzle perfectly. And as far as rivalry goes, Dale Earnhardt Jr does think that it’s on. In fact, he even made a rather surprising statement!
Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson’s rivalry is something some subscribe to while others don’t. Insiders like Freddie Kraft, an employee of Hamlin himself, have come out saying it’s not really true, and it’s just hard racing. But Dale Earnhardt Jr said, “I wouldn’t think nothing of that,” referring to their situation. According to him, the rivalry has been one not from now but from Pocono. This was when Larson ended up being on the fence! He also pointed out the changing statements of the drivers. And it’s true because, up until last week, Hamlin and Larson had denied any rumors, but this time they aren’t flat-out denying them.
In fact, Hamlin said in his podcast, “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. […] Sure, if you want to call it [a rivalry].”
On the other hand, Larson’s post-race interview painted a rather grim picture. He said, “I wouldn’t agree or disagree [about having an ongoing rivalry]. It comes and goes. I feel like we race well together at times, and then there’re times when I feel like he races me, not the fairest. I’m sure he feels the same way. So, yeah. It’s not an ongoing rivalry. Hopefully, we can move on from it soon and get a little bit of respect from him.”