The tension between Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, teammates at Team Hendrick, reached a boiling point after their repeated collisions at last week’s race in Iowa, drawing attention to the ongoing Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson feud. Larson’s frustrations flared during the race, but as the series heads to Watkins Glen International this weekend, he insists any animosity has subsided and that he has moved on.
Multiple On-Track Collisions Spark Emotions in Iowa
During the Iowa race, Elliott made contact with Larson’s car three separate times, undermining team unity and triggering a rare outburst from Larson, who is typically composed. On the team radio after the third incident, Larson’s patience snapped as he voiced his anger in a strongly worded rant:
“F**k every single motherf***ing a**hole. God damn it! How much f***ing room do I have to leave people? … I’ve been quiet for 45 minutes… I’ve been trying to be a good teammate, [and] a good competitor, and it hasn’t gotten me anywhere for the last f***ing hour,”
—Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Larson’s frustration coincided with a disappointing result—he finished 28th, while Elliott secured the 14th spot. The repeated clashes led to mounting speculation that a feud was brewing between the two, threatening team morale just as important races approach.
Larson Says Frustration Has Faded, No Lasting Grudge
During a press session at Watkins Glen International, Larson addressed questions about the state of his relationship with Elliott following the Iowa incidents. He downplayed suggestions of lasting hostility:
“Everybody’s making a big deal about Chase. I really wasn’t that mad at Chase,”
—Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Larson explained that upon reviewing race footage, his initial anger diminished and he realized the situation was less clear-cut than it first seemed:
“It’s just racing. After watching the replays and stuff, it wasn’t what I thought it was from the seat. And two, I was less frustrated with him than I was [with] others. Everything compiled and I was trying to keep my cool.”
—Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
He further clarified his position, asserting that the matter required no further discussion with his teammate. Larson said he has left the conflict behind, feeling it no longer warranted attention.
Other NASCAR Figures Weigh in on the Iowa Incident
The Iowa clashes drew sharp criticism from veteran driver Denny Hamlin, who called for NASCAR officials to intervene due to what he perceived as reckless racing. He voiced his strong dissatisfaction after the event:
“They laid back so much, they must have been running 10 miles an hour faster, probably more than that. Then the cars in front of them, when they all took off and then they both tried to shoot the gap at the same time in the middle. It’s like they both deserved to wreck.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin’s remarks highlighted broader concerns among drivers about maintaining fairness and safety on the track, especially when teammates are involved. Meanwhile, Steve Letarte, former team Hendrick crew chief and current TV analyst, dismissed fears of lingering resentment between Elliott and Larson. Letarte pointed out the value of leadership within Hendrick Motorsports during challenging times:
“Well, this is why Jeff Gordon is the perfect co-chairman of the organization, because he has seen it nearly get torn apart when him and Jimmie Johnson were disagreeing and when they run into each other in Texas, somebody’s upset, there’s chirping on the radio,”
—Steve Letarte, NASCAR Analyst and Former Crew Chief
Team Hendrick’s Track Record with Past Teammate Disputes
Observing the situation, many recall a similar moment nearly two decades ago when Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, also teammates at Hendrick, had a significant falling out after a clash at Texas. At that time, team owner Rick Hendrick personally intervened with a calming “milk and cookies” sit-down, ultimately restoring peace and friendship between the drivers.
This precedent suggests that Hendrick Motorsports values open communication and internal resolution in handling intra-team disputes. As Sunday’s race at The Glen approaches, close racing and possible contact remain likely, but there appears to be little concern that the Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson feud will persist or destabilize the team’s focus.
Ultimately, the incident in Iowa has spotlighted the intensity and emotional complexity inherent in high-stakes NASCAR competition. For now, as the organization steers into the next round at Watkins Glen International, attention will remain on whether the drivers can maintain harmony under pressure—or if future flare-ups could reignite tensions between star teammates.
