“I Can Count Four or Five Times” – Dejected Kyle Larson Doesn’t Want the Ross Chastain Treatment as He Reveals His Relationship With NASCAR’s New Villain

The dynamic between drivers in NASCAR can undergo significant changes in a second. In a sport that involves overtaking another driver to get the best result, one might be forced to settle some undesirable affairs. Hendrick Motorsports ace Kyle Larson felt some of that after the Cup Series race at Pocono.

Larson is known for being one of the most skilled drivers on the grid and being a force of nature in his day. But Sunday didn’t seem to be his day, as he lost out on top after a frustrating contact with an old friend and NASCAR’s new villain, Denny Hamlin. Speaking to the media in a post-race press conference at Pocono, he compares himself with Ross Chastain, who is renowned for his involvement in rash contact with other cars on the track.

Kyle Larson says he didn’t deserve to be run into by Hamlin

En route to his second win of the season and 50th of his Cup career, Hamlin faced a formidable competitor in Larson. Yung Money is one of the modern legends of the sport and has also been having a good season so far. With the restart in place and with seven laps to go, Hamlin overtook Larson on turn 1. But while doing that, the #11 driver hit the inside of Larson’s car. As a result, Larson collided with the wall trying to exit the corner.

Speaking about such occurrences happening between the two in earlier races and how they managed to resolve the issue, Larson says,

“At this point, I think I have to. Like I said, I’ve never had to apologize to him about anything, anything I’ve done on the racetrack. I can count four or five times where he’s had to reach out to me; Oh, man, I’m sorry I put you in a bad spot there.” 

The #5 Camaro driver also brings up Nashville winner Ross Chastain’s beef with Hamlin to show an example. One wouldn’t call Chastain and Hamlin friends off the track or on it, and the pair have collided on the asphalt quite a few times. Larson says the Trackhouse Racing driver’s case is reasonable and is just retaliation for his continuous aggression toward other drivers.

“Eventually, likes he says, you have to start racing people a certain way to get the respect back. I mean, he pulled the same move on Ross last year. Ross probably deserved it, right, with all the stuff he’s done to Denny in his career.”

But using the same example to justify his claim, he feels that his and Hamlin’s relationship or history is in no way comparable to Chastain’s. Despite that, he shows a willingness to move on from the incidents of the race and looks forward to what’s next.

“Again, I haven’t done that to Denny. So I don’t think I deserve to be run into before I ever got to the wall. So just, it is what it is. I’m going to go race a sprint car on Tuesday night. I’m going to forget about it here in a few hours. That’s the best medicine for a tough result.”

Read More: Hendrick Motorsports Legend Says They “Don’t Have to Worry” About Denny Hamlin Being an HMS Driver as Kyle Larson’s Win Was Stolen From Him 

Before racing at Richmond, Larson will run at the Grandview Speedway at the Rich Mars Florist High Limit 410 sprints with a payout estimated to be above $80,000.

Larson enjoys his regular dose of Hamlin’s podcast

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As the press conference goes on, one of the media correspondents asks, “You and Denny are friends off the racetrack. Do you have an inclination to reach out to him or wait and see?”

Larson then uses his golden rule for life, saying, “No, I mean, it is what it is. Yeah, we’re friends. Yes, this makes things shitty and awkward. You know, whatever.”

Kyle Larson is an admirer of Hamlin. He believes that the 42-year-old is often in the right, but sometimes these unfavorable circumstances can affect someone psychologically. He also emphasizes the need for a mature approach to this situation to limit the issue to the track.

“He’s always right. All the buddies know Denny’s always right. I’m sure he was in the right there, as well. It is what it is. I’m not going to let it tarnish our friendship on track, but I am pissed. I feel like I should be pissed.”

Concluding with something Denny Hamlin will be rather happy about, he says, “I’m sure tune in to ‘Actions Detrimental.’ He’ll have a long clip on.”

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