Kyle Larson Forced to Let Go of Denny Hamlin’s Frustrated Outburst as the Joe Gibbs Veteran Finally Becomes Relevant in Iowa

Denny Hamlin was way out of the top 10 in the starting lineup for the Iowa Corn 350. Being one of the short-track kings this season, this was thoroughly unexpected. By Lap 24, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver was even falling outside the top 30 as he was “plowing” through the corners. “It’s like the tires are on backward,” he reported over the radio. But as he regained his mojo in the latter stages of the race, he snuggled with his front-row rivals, even nudging his old frenemy, Kyle Larson.

The first stage was largely a feud between Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney, who exchanged leads several times. Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin was dragging his wheels in the rear. But by Lap 180, he had cracked the top 10 and reached the 8th spot. However, he trumpeted his arrival loudly by nudging one of the race leaders. This happened on Lap 221 when Kyle Larson was battling Brad Keselowski and Daniel Suarez – caught in a sandwich between them – to change his third spot.

However, a slight nudge from the #99 off Turn 4 sent the #5 into a spin. Denny Hamlin got tight right then and delivered a blow to Larson, pushing the Hendrick Motorsports driver way up the racetrack. Kyle Larson fumed over the radio, “Can you go ask [Hamlin’s spotter Chris] Lambert what the f*ck? I know Denny is having a rough day, but…” However, the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports crew chief, Cliff Daniels, took a merciful approach. “We are going to let that go. That’s what we’re going to do. It was unfortunate. I don’t understand it. But we’re going to let it go.”

Seeing as Larson’s car was the fastest in qualifying, Daniels assured his driver, “We have the fastest car in the field by a ridiculous amount. We’re going to keep our eyes forward.” However, that pace didn’t amount to much in the end. Both he and Hamlin had to make multiple stops to repair their cars. And while the JGR driver finished the race in 24th place, 2 laps behind the winner, Kyle Larson crossed the line in 34th, 36 laps behind the leader. Although he sounded furious when the incident happened, he had a much calmer take on it afterward.

Talking to Bob Pockrass, Larson said, “We lapped [Hamlin], and then, he just slightly got in the back of me and got me out of the racetrack. I doubt it was intentional; I wouldn’t see why it would be intentional.” The #11 echoed the ‘unintentional’ sentiment, too, while also taking the blame. “It was my mistake. I gassed up too soon and ran into the back of him. Luckily, everybody held onto it,” Hamlin said. As a result of Larson’s 34th-place finish, the HMS driver has fallen a spot to No.2 in the standings, with his teammate Chase Elliott now in the lead. As for Hamlin, he’s maintained his No.3 spot.

All said and done, this rivalry between Hamlin and Larson is significant as it echoes the 2023 Pocono incident. There, the two were racing tightly as well when Hamlin hit Larson, and the latter slammed into the outer wall. Kyle Larson, turning vengeful, hit Hamlin’s door on the front stretch in return. This time, however, his crew chief stopped him from using any tactics.

The Hamlin-Larson feud resembles some classic rivalries from the past, like Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch or Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison. But another driver took Hamlin’s side last year because of what the past feuds lacked.

The Iowa race winner defended Hamlin’s Pocono actions

When Kyle Larson had the lead in Iowa, Denny Hamlin was somewhere behind him. It was Daniel Suarez who sealed Larson’s fate, collecting Hamlin as well. This provided a clear passage to Ryan Blaney, who eventually soared to his first-season victory at Iowa as Hamlin and Larson faded.

However, last year, the Team Penske driver picked a side against his Iowa rival. He had defended Hamlin’s aggressive moves in Pocono, citing the “weird deal” that the Next Gen car presents. “These cars are strange when it comes to that. Often the inside car has the advantage of getting the outside guy tight. That’s unheard of with the old car and is what it is now. I think racing for the win, you do what it takes. Everyone approaches it differently on what you’re going to do to win a race.”

As Ryan Blaney is basking in newfound glory, both Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson are nursing their wounds and reflecting on their track rivalry.