Kyle Larson weighs in on teammates after a recent altercation between Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs during the New Hampshire race, offering support for Hamlin’s point of view. This comment comes as Larson draws from his personal experience with intra-team conflicts, understanding the complexities when pressure runs high on the racetrack.
Reflections on Team Incidents and Experience with Chase Elliott
Throughout the season, Larson and Chase Elliott, both drivers for Hendrick Motorsports, faced their own moments of conflict, including a memorable clash at Iowa Speedway in August 2025. During that event, their cars made contact several times on restarts, leaving Larson frustrated and vocal over team radio. Nonetheless, both drivers later insisted that personal issues were resolved between them and asserted that their professional relationship was unchanged at their organization.
Hamlin’s Call for Team Guidance and Larson’s Response
In contrast to Larson and Elliott’s decision to resolve matters independently, Denny Hamlin publicly called for stronger guidance and intervention from team leadership. Hamlin advocated for clear reminders to all drivers—whether competing in playoff contention or not—about their responsibilities toward each other on the track during critical points in the race season.
“Yeah, I think you’re always just looking out for what you can do to make things a little bit easier on your teammates. Thankfully for me, TVs probably don’t even see the teamwork that happens.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
Expectations of Teammate Support in Competition
Larson illustrated his perspective by referencing a recent race scenario with fellow driver Alex Bowman. Near the end of a stage, Bowman allowed Larson to pass multiple times while struggling, and chose not to overtake him despite the opportunity, instead opting to remain behind and support his teammate. These actions, according to Larson, are typical of the silent teamwork often unseen by the audience.
“So it’s just little things like that where I think where Denny (Hamlin) was probably expecting that, as every team who has multiple cars, has had a conversation of those expectations. So I could see Denny’s frustration, for sure. And yeah, I’m sure they had a lot of talks this week, so I would expect it to be much better.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
The Debate Over Yielding in Critical Race Moments
When asked whether drivers who are not in the playoffs should make way for their playoff-competing teammates, Larson took a clear and nuanced position. He stated that during earlier parts of a race—such as the first or second stage—he considers it reasonable for a teammate to provide support and yield if needed.
“At that point in the race, yeah. I mean, it was stage one, stage two, maybe.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
However, Larson emphasized that expectations change near the finish. In the closing laps, he believes no driver should be asked to give up a shot at victory, underlining the competitive nature and drive for success that defines the sport. For mid-stage racing, though, he upholds that teamwork to benefit those in playoff scenarios remains a standard expectation.
What Comes Next for Teams and Playoff Strategies
The continued debate over when drivers should back down and when they should compete to the limit reflects ongoing tension among high-level teams like Hendrick Motorsports. Larson’s input, along with calls for leadership from figures such as Hamlin, suggests that further internal discussions and clearer expectations may shape the strategies employed by race teams for the remainder of the season. With the intensity of playoff battles escalating, how drivers like Larson, Elliott, Hamlin, Gibbs, and Bowman navigate both rivalry and partnership will remain closely watched throughout the ongoing competition.
