“It Was Intentional”: Denny Hamlin Insider Deciphers Ryan Preece’s “Perfectly Modified Nerf” Against Kyle Larson

The recent Food City Dirt race at the Bristol Motor Speedway certainly did not disappoint the fans as it had everything, from action to thrilling race moments to a bitter feud that later turned ugly. The NASCAR fraternity was on their toes as Stewart-Haas Racing‘s Ryan Preece knocked out the dirt track expert Kyle Larson after multiple bumps.

A notorious feud was raging on in the race, which, later in the race’s final stage, culminated in a disastrous finish for both Larson and Preece. The spectators watched an intense rivalry taking shape as both Larson and Ryan Preece bumped into each other multiple times.

Reflecting on the recent incident, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin‘s spotter, Chris Lambert did not hesitate as he shared his thoughts while speaking on the popular Door Bumper Clear podcast.

Chris Lambert voices his thoughts on things getting ugly on the racetrack

The fans definitely had a lot to take in after Sunday’s race in Bristol. Kyle Larson, known for his expertise on dirt tracks and despite being in his element, could not finish the race.

While both Ryan Preece and Kyle Larson had multiple exchanges throughout the race, to the surprise of many, it was Larson who drew the first blood. Things quickly turned grim as the #41 driver had radical ideas for Larson. During stage 1, coming off the corner in turn 1, the #5 Hendrick Motorsports driver blocked Preece causing both to bump into each other, and this seems to be the initial spark that caused the chaos.

Reacting to the infamous incident on the track, TJ Majors, Freddie Kraft, and Casey Boat joined the Joe Gibbs Racing spotter to discuss the recent happenings on the Door Bumper Clear podcast.

Chris Lambert shared his thoughts while mentioning Preece’s crew chief’s hand in Sunday’s situation. He said, “I don’t think that I found it interesting I should say, I listened to the audio, and obviously Ryan’s crew chief this year was Larson’s at Ganassi for quite a few years and he didn’t help that.

“He basically said that wasn’t a mistake, that was intentional. And probably put it in Ryan’s head and got him fired up more. You know Ryan’s a fiery guy; comes from short tracks; he’s still a short-track guy.

I know him pretty well […] the wreck with Larson later in the race, after his comment, I do think it was intentional, it was a perfect modified nerf. You know what I mean, it was, ‘here we are, I’m gonna send you if I can,’ and he did!”

READ MORE: Kyle Larson Lashes Out: “Get That Out of My F***king Face”

The co-host of the show, TJ Majors, had earlier in the episode shared, “Uh, I mean great racing [chuckles], Preece got kinda ran a little bit dirty, he did get run dirty and he ran the other guy little bit dirty.”

What really happened between Kyle Larson and Ryan Preece that caused the drama?

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The Cup Series race in Bristol definitely wasn’t a great race for Larson, with him initiating the feud in the initial stages of the race, and after the frequent onslaught from Preece, managing only a 35th-place finish.

It did not sit well with Preece when Larson spun him out in Lap 79. Preece got beside Larson and gestured his frustration vividly during the caution. Later in the final stage of the race, Ryan Preece got his revenge as he slid his car into Larson’s as Larson tried to pass on the outside.

WATCH THIS STORY: “No clue how that is a penalty” – Kyle Busch exposes NASCAR’s “contradictory” side after being left in disbelief of Denny Hamlin’s controversial verdict. 

While Larson was coming out of the straightway on turn 2, the commotion caused the #5 car to spin out of control and eventually crash into the wall. Ryan Preece eventually finished 24th.