Days After Controversial Last-Lap Upset, Kyle Larson Gets Frustrated Over Denny Hamlin’s Hypocrisy & Confesses a Major Regret

NASCAR Cup Series has always been known for its high-octane racing and intense competition, but the recent controversy involving Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin has taken it to a new level. In the AdventHealth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, Hamlin won the race at the expense of Larson, who finished second after being nudged into the wall by Hamlin on the last lap.

During an episode of his podcast, “High Limit Room,” Larson discussed the incident and Hamlin’s subsequent comments on his own podcast, “Actions Detrimental”. Larson began by addressing his thoughts on the incident itself, stating that he believed Hamlin was faster than him but that he would have liked to see him make a clean pass. He also suggested that Hamlin’s aggressive driving on the final lap may have contributed to both drivers’ cars becoming tight, leading to the crash.

Former Dale Jr Driver Calls Out Hamlin’s Hypocrisy

Brad Sweet, who is the Co-host of Larson’s podcast, gave his analysis of the incident, saying, “I think he was extra aggressive and pretty much looked like he kind of crashed you on the straightaway to me. So I wasn’t like the most angry I’ve ever been, but I thought, you know, it was different than he talks about how he races, so but that doesn’t really surprise me.” Larson agreed with Sweet’s assessment but didn’t hold a grudge against Hamlin for racing aggressively for the win. However, he expressed his frustration over Hamlin’s statements on his podcast, where he talks about racing a certain way but has never apologized to Larson for any past incidents.

“I don’t think there’s a reason to be mad at him,” Larson said. “We were racing aggressively on the last lap for a win, and he was way faster than me. Just the only thing that I guess I get frustrated with is on his deal, his podcast, he says, ‘I race a certain way, but I’ve never had to reach out to him to apologize about anything.'”

WATCH THIS STORY: Kyle Busch’s explosive rant against Ross Chastain revisited as watermelon makes wave at Kansas. 

Kyle Larson Expresses Regret Over Missed Opportunity

Larson also confessed to a major regret about the incident, revealing that he wished he had made a different move in the race. He said that he had been running the same line throughout the race and had planned to continue this into the final lap. However, Hamlin’s car had been pushing him against the wall, and he was unable to make the move he wanted. Larson said that he regretted not trying to move lower on the track and protect his position, which could have potentially led to a different outcome.

Despite his disappointment, Larson also acknowledged that he was not mad at Hamlin, and the two drivers were simply racing aggressively for the win. He said, “I wouldn’t say I’m mad at him. I just wish I would have had a shot through three and four where I didn’t get that shot. Where I could have had a chance to clear him and then he would have been on my bumper into three and four. I think he would have been as close to me into three as he was the whole last run, so I still think he would have been able to maybe beat me”

In the end, Hamlin’s victory at Kansas may have been controversial, but it’s clear that he and Larson were both racing hard for the win. As for the larger issue of racing ethics, it’s a conversation that will continue to play out both on and off the track.

READ MORE: “Are You Going Soft” – Kevin Harvick Gets Trolled for His Diplomatic Take on Ross Chastain’s “Most Solid Punch In NASCAR History”