NASCAR has always thrived on rivalries. Whether it was Richard Petty vs. David Pearson, Dale Earnhardt vs. Jeff Gordon, or Jimmie Johnson vs. Denny Hamlin, the sport’s greatest moments often come from heated battles on the track. These rivalries fuel competition, create drama and keep fans on the edge of their seats. Kyle Larson has been at the center of many thrilling battles in recent years. As one of the most dominant drivers in the sport, he has consistently challenged the best and raised the bar for competition. However, every dominant driver needs a worthy challenger. They need someone who can match their skill, push them to their limits, and create moments that define an era.

As the 2025 season approaches NASCAR veteran, Kevin Harvick has named a new challenger for Larson. While Larson has long been considered the most versatile driver in NASCAR, Harvick believes Joe Gibbs’ rising star, Christopher Bell, will be a threat to him. Unlike past feuds built on crashes and controversies, Harvick believes this one is fuelled by pure competition.

Christopher Bell is set to challenge Kyle Larson!

Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, has been phenomenal in the last few seasons. In 2024, he won six races and had 15 top-5 and 18 top-10 finishes. However, his rough runs at Atlanta and Kansas forced him out of Championship 4. Despite the heartbreaking 2024 season, Larson had a great start to the 2025 season with multiple wins in dirt racing events. As the NASCAR season looms ahead, Kevin Harvick named Christopher Bell as a rising challenger for Larson. On his podcast, Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, a NASCAR veteran, made a bold prediction about the battle. Harvick believes that their rivalry won’t just stay on the NASCAR circuit but will extend to dirt racing and beyond.

“I think the Larson Bell rivalry is something that we all hope for. But has a lot more opportunity to be in more places than just NASCAR, right? Like the Chili Bowl already had that the micros and, and everything that they raced already has a little bit of that spice that I think is the ability to be able to see that on the racetrack… I think that rivalry spices up because we see it in more places than just on the NASCAR track,” Harvick said.

Harvick’s comments highlight the long history between the two drivers. Larson and Bell have been battling since their teenage years. Both drivers made a name for themselves on dirt tracks, winning major events like the Chili Bowl Nationals and the Tulsa Shootout. Their ability to dominate in multiple racing disciplines has made them two of the most exciting drivers in the sport. Notably, their rivalry picked up steam again in the 2025 offseason when Bell edged out Larson in a thrilling photo finish at the Tulsa Shootout. However, Larson responded a week later by winning the Chili Bowl Nationals, tying Bell’s record with three victories at the event.

Despite their intense battles, Larson and Bell have nothing but respect for each other. “We’ve both pushed each other to get here, and I think it’s good for any athlete to have that person who pushes you,” Larson had told FloRacing earlier this year. Bell echoed similar sentiments. “Kyle and I have obviously been fierce competitors, and we’ve had a lot of great races, a lot of heartbreaking losses from both of our sides,” he had said.

Meanwhile, Kevin Harvick made another bold claim about Christopher Bell. “Christopher is on the path to being the leader at JGR. They don’t have any changes at the top, and he’s getting more comfortable being that leader. The expectation is to win that championship,” Harvick said. What might be odd for fans is to see Bell be named as the rival instead of Hamlin. Looking closely at the 2024 season, it was Hamlin and Larson going against each other for wins. Moreover, Hamlin is also the senior figure in the team. Yet, it was Bell who took the title. Why so? There might be a particular reason.

Notably, Joe Gibbs Racing has been a dominant force in NASCAR for years. With the departure of Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin nearing the end of his career, Bell is emerging as the future of the organization. If he continues to challenge Larson, he could cement himself as NASCAR’s next superstar. Bell’s recent performances also set him up for an exciting season and his results will surely determine NASCAR’s TRP.

Is JGR sidelining Denny Hamlin?

Trending

1

Kevin Harvick Rejoices at NASCAR’s Lawsuit Loss As Tony Stewart Earns Millions of Dollars

2

Kevin Harvick Warns NASCAR Drivers About Brad Keselowski’s Silent Moves

3

NASCAR Hall of Famer Awaits Retaliation From Kyle Busch After Mocking Rowdy’s Legal Troubles in Mexico

4

Jeff Gordon Demands Answers From NASCAR After Controversial “Popularity Contest” Rule to Favor 1 Cup Series Team

5

Kyle Busch Continues to Ignore Warnings as He Lays Down His 9-YO Sons Career Blueprint

While Kevin Harvick predicts Christopher Bell to be the next superstar of Joe Gibbs Racing, he also believes that things are not good for veteran Denny Hamlin. The 44-year-old driver enters the 2025 season under immense pressure. He has made the playoffs multiple times but hasn’t won a championship in his 20-year career. After missing the Championship 4 for the third straight season, questions are swirling about his future with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Harvick believes Hamlin could follow the same path as Kyle Busch, who left JGR after losing key sponsors. On Happy Hour, Harvick asked NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass if Hamlin was becoming “Kyle Busch 2.0.” Pockrass responded, “I think Denny rides the wave a little better than Kyle Busch does. But he does have a lot going on, and that could either help him or hurt him.”

Notably, Denny Hamlin’s situation is a bit complicated. He lost major sponsors, like FedEx and Mavis Tires, for the 2025 season. Without solid financial backing, his future with JGR remains uncertain. This was the same issue that led to Busch’s departure from the team in 2022. However, there is one key difference. Unlike Busch, Hamlin has ownership stakes in 23XI Racing, the team he co-owns with Michael Jordan. Harvick believes that if things go south at JGR, Hamlin has options.

“I feel like it could be 2.0 if it doesn’t start well. But he has so many other options on his side of the world to focus on,” Harvick said. Notably, Busch’s move to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has been a struggle. He failed to secure a win in 2024, marking the first winless season of his career. Harvick wonders if Hamlin could face a similar fate if he leaves JGR.