Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson have a unique relationship off the track, being close friends but fierce competitors on it.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s experienced driver, Denny Hamlin, secured his third victory of the 2024 season at Dover last Sunday. He overtook his teammate and friend/enemy, Kyle Larson, with an impressive final restart to secure the win. Hamlin’s ability to block the air played a significant role in his triumph against Larson in the No. 5 car.
After the race, Denny Hamlin spoke to the press about the challenges of racing against Kyle Larson in an HMS Chevy. He acknowledged Larson’s exceptional ability to maximize lap times, pushing the limits, noting that this makes him a dangerous opponent who is willing to go to extremes to win races.
In his post-race interview, Kyle Larson expressed that with a better restart and a little more time, he could have secured the victory. He also highlighted the impact of air blocking, which Hamlin used to his advantage, as a significant factor in Sunday’s race.
Kyle Larson suggested that NASCAR should remove the rear camera to reduce the efficiency of air blocking. However, Hamlin disagreed with this proposal, emphasizing the importance of input from observers and dismissing the suggestion as impractical.
The battle between Larson and Hamlin is not an isolated incident and is likely to continue in the upcoming races. The ongoing rivalry between JGR and HMS teams, with Larson and Hamlin as their top drivers, adds an intriguing element to the season.
