The NASCAR Cup Series is no stranger to drama, but the latest clash between Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin has sent shockwaves through the garage. After a heated moment at Bristol Motor Speedway, Hamlin’s jaw-dropping comments have left Larson’s 2025 season teetering on the edge, with fans and insiders buzzing about what’s next.
It all unfolded during the Food City 500, where Larson dominated, leading 462 of 500 laps to claim victory. Hamlin, chasing a historic third consecutive win, finished a close second but couldn’t overtake the Hendrick Motorsports star. Post-race, Hamlin’s frustration boiled over. In a fiery interview with FOX Sports, he took a pointed jab at Larson’s earlier crash at Darlington, saying, “There’s two people I really love right now: my pit crew and Kyle Larson,” dripping with sarcasm. The comment was a clear dig at Larson’s late-race wreck that triggered a caution, handing Hamlin’s team a crucial pit-road advantage at Darlington. Larson, who finished with his first DNF of the season, was blindsided by the remark.
The tension traces back to their 2023 Pocono clash, where Hamlin’s aggressive move forced Larson into the wall, costing him a potential win. Larson later vented, “I’ve never had to apologize to him, but he’s always the one reaching out after putting me in bad spots.” Hamlin’s unapologetic style, coupled with his recent embrace of the villain role—waving an “11 Against the World” flag after Martinsville—has only fueled the fire. His Bristol comments, laced with mockery, have reignited their rivalry, raising questions about Larson’s mental game as the season progresses.
Larson’s 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster. Despite his Bristol triumph, his Darlington disaster dropped him to sixth in the standings, a four-spot tumble. With only 22 stage points through nine races—a 26-point deficit from 2024—Larson’s consistency is waning. Hamlin, sitting second with 316 points and two wins, thrives under pressure, using mind games to unsettle rivals. His pit crew’s lightning-fast stops, like the 8.3-second masterpiece at Darlington, give him an edge, while Larson’s team struggles with costly mistakes, like a slow pit stop in Las Vegas.
The NASCAR world is split. Some fans cheer Hamlin’s bold antics, while others rally behind Larson, who’s still haunted by his 2020 suspension for a racial slur. Posts on X capture the divide, with one user joking, “Ham= Hamlin’s ‘p*ss on your triple sweep’ jab at Larson’s Bristol win shows he’s playing chess while others play checkers.” As the Cup Series heads to Talladgega, all eyes are on Larson. Can he rebound, or will Hamlin’s psychological warfare derail his championship hopes? One thing’s certain: this rivalry is far from over.
