Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson may be friends off the racetrack, but when it comes to competitive racing, we all saw what happened in New Hampshire and then in Nashville. Representing the two powerhouse teams, there is always one objective when entering a race, and that is to win. The two have been at loggerheads in the past on multiple occasions, but with knocking each other, they just haven’t provided the fans with the rivalry they need.

Looking at the events and skirmishes between Hamlin and Larson, the rivalry is certainly brewing beneath the surface. Not to forget, the two drivers are also contesting for the title of regular season champion, which certainly adds more spice to their tussle. With the NASCAR Cup Series now heading to Pocono Raceway this weekend, the tempers between the two drivers could be flaring up once again.

Last time, Denny Hamlin got away with his questionable racing tactics in Pocono

Kyle Larson had enough of Hamlin’s antics of trying to run him up the racetrack on multiple occasions this season and finally retaliated at Nashville. It was more than just hard racing to tell you the truth. It was as if Larson was going out of his way and adopting the approach of giving Hamlin a taste of his own medicine. However, no one is sure if it worked in his favor, as he certainly didn’t bag a win for his troubles.

What’s interesting about this weekend’s race at Pocono is that both drivers were in a similar situation at last year’s race. With just 8 laps to go in the race, Hamlin was positioned behind Larson for the restart and was quick to make his move for the win, taking up the inside line right beside the #5 HMS Chevy. And guess what he did next? Hamlin ran Larson up the racetrack in an aggressive move.

To the extent that he clipped Larson’s race car, sending him hard into the safer barriers. From there on, he was clearly in command of the lead, but with another caution slowing things down, Larson decided to get back at his rival. During the cool-down laps, Larson pulled up beside the #11 and gave a good wack, sending Hamlin into the wall. Clearly, this was a message to the JGR star to keep his shenanigans to himself. And who knows? Something similar of sorts could unfold this Sunday.

More controversy unfolded as Denny Hamlin was deemed the winner with a yellow checkered as Ryan Preece was unable to refire his car after spinning out with 1 lap to go. There’s no love lost between Hamlin and Larson, and going by their comments after the Nashville race, fans are likely to be treated to more fireworks at the Pocono Raceway.

Larson demanded respect from his rival

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Call it dark arts or forcing his opponents into making a mistake. Hamlin forced Larson into making a mistake in Nashville. Although the run-ins between them have continued since last season, the HMS star was ready to get over his tussle with the JGR star after losing his cool in Nashville.

Heading into Turn 1 off the restart, Larson dove into the corner but touched the pavement below the yellow line and shot back up the racetrack. Larson slammed into Ross Chastain, who was on the outside of Hamlin, the race leader at the time.

“Where I’m at I think, you know, Nashville’s is really the first time that I’ve got to, you know, I feel like in my mind, show that I’m over it. Or like over the way that I’ve been raced. Now going forward I think I’m ready to move on, I’ve got zero issue at this point. I would like a little bit of respect on the racetrack. And a little bit more room than maybe I’ve been given.” Larson said this via SiriusXM NASCAR radio.

Meanwhile, Hamlin sees nothing wrong with what’s unfolding between the two on the racetrack. “If (Larson) is b*tt hurt over a lap that happened at the end. Ok, he wouldn’t give me an inch to clear. This is now three instances in a row. Now I feel like, OK, I need to respond. I’m in this for the long haul. I’m fine with the way we’re racing and it’s going to keep going. It’s going to keep getting raised.” He said this via the Actions Detrimental Podcast.

What do you make of this rivalry, and which of them has the edge going into the race at Pocono?