The recent Brickyard 400 race generated a load of wrecks and cautions, flaring tensions for quite a few drivers. It also set a precedent for a regional series race, the Throwback 276 Late Model Stock Car at Hickory Motor Speedway. But this CARS Tour showcased some rowdy driving that owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. may not like.

The on-track conflict incidentally threw the spotlight on Denny Hamlin as well. The Cup Series driver popped up as an honorable mention by a victim of the wreck who launched into a diatribe against his detractor. And the consequences of that do not seem so bright.

CARS Tour driver is miffed

Landon Huffman was prepared for a grand performance in the CARS Tour Hickory race. Driving the No. 37 machine owned by Carroll Speedshop, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Late Model sensation was also honoring his family. His car had backing from sponsor Sig’s Tire Centers, the same sponsor that his father had when he won his last Late Model race 31 years ago in 1993. “This one is pretty cool,” Huffman said prior to showing up for the Throwback 276. But one of his rivals definitely did not think it cool.

Andrew Grady, the driver of the No. 1 Gildan Chevrolet, fumed at Huffman’s rowdy tactics. After Huffman bashed an underage driver in May, now the blows are directed at him. The beefed-up driver quoted Denny Hamlin who had correctly analyzed Huffman as a wrecking driver. Grady said post-race, “In the words of Denny Hamlin: Landon Huffman, you’re a hack, it’s no wonder you lost your ride with the No. 22, you’re absolute– you’re a trash panda, bud.”

And the trash panda did not give Grady any rest at today’s CARS Tour race. Andrew Grady hollered about Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s popular driver crashing him mid-race. He said, “We are 60 laps in, we’re running for 12 – we turn, we lose. I mean for God’s sake man. I know we’re racing, I know we gotta go, I get it. But when you have got me like that when you have me sideways…That’s a branded racecar.” He added in a heated tone: “Dude if you’re that much better than me, turn underneath me and drive behind me. Don’t destroy my race car. Too much time, too much effort goes into this for dumb shit like that to happen.”

Trashing Grady’s No. 1 car may have earned Huffman’s future payback. He also stormed at Huffman and swore to take revenge. “It’s okay. Before he leaves, he will know I am pissed, I promise you.” He bashed Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s series as a whole. “Yeah, me and him are talking. I don’t care if it’s here in the parking lot or at our house at 3 AM. I’m going to have a conversation before we leave this racetrack, ’cause that was bulls**t. This is why the CARS Tour has become a problem.”

And now Landon Huffman may need to be on his guard, as Andrew Grady has a reputation for unbridled tempers expressed on the racetrack.

Known to pack a volley of punches

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Landon Huffman could have been wiser than to land in Andrew Grady’s bad books. Especially after how the latter lashed back at another wrecking rival at the 2022 ValleyStar Credit Union 300. After qualifying fifth, Grady had been slapped with a mid-race penalty. Despite having only 25 laps to climb back to the front row, Grady carved his way back up expertly. But then fellow driver Davey Callihan sent him spinning into the wall, causing significant damage to his car. This enraged Andrew Grady, who launched a barrage of punches at seated Callihan post-race.

Although NASCAR did not hand him a penalty, the video of Grady’s fistfight went viral. In 2023, Andrew Grady recalled his crazy encounter and why his tempers flared more. He said, “I’ve been going to Martinsville for this race since I was 2 years old, so I’ve seen all the crazy stuff happen. Moving a guy for a transfer spot is one thing, but a kamikaze move that tears up $60,000 in race cars is not something I’d be proud of.” 

Yet he acknowledged that it was a bit outspoken. “It wasn’t a good look. NASCAR has always been considered a redneck sport, and we’ve done a good job over the past 15 years trying to change that image, so I kind of set us back.”

But Landon Huffman may be on his guard nevertheless, as Grady seemed particularly miffed at Dale Earnhardt Jr’s driver after the Hickory race.