Denny Hamlin brings up Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace incident when asked about 'respect'

The Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson moment at the end of the HighPoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway has NASCAR fans buzzing. A historic win for Hamlin, his seventh at the track (most all-time), his 50th overall in the Cup Series, and win 600 for Toyota in the three national series.

Of course, the win won’t come without the mention of controversy for the time being. Deny Hamlin seemingly put his friend, Kyle Larson, into the wall while racing for the win. Hamlin claims he didn’t touch him and gave him a choice, but some aren’t buying it.

As for Larson, he felt Hamlin gave him the same treatment he gave Ross Chastain a year ago. When asked about “respect” for Larson on the track, Hamlin continued to deflect a bit and bring up other instances.

“Same move he made to Bubba? Did he mention that or no? Gotcha,” he said to the media, via Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports.

Then, he made what I think is his best argument for the move. He was racing to win and it was a very important win for Denny Hamlin personally and for his team.

“We’re racing for the win, are you f***ing me? For sure. I mean if I’m going to give anyone in the field respect it’s Kyle Larson. Because of our – I respect him as a race car driver and I think he’s probably the best. So, certainly, he’s got my respect, but damn we’re all racing for a win and I guarantee you, roles reverse, it goes the same way.”

Denny Hamlin responds to Kyle Larson saying that the move was like the one Hamlin pulled on Ross Chastain last year at Pocono and he (Larson) didn’t deserve to be raced that way. pic.twitter.com/MiWi9t7Z3q

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 24, 2023

I’m sure we’ll hear more about this on Denny Hamlin’s podcast this week. Don’t expect him to change his mind, though.

Denny Hamlin embraces boos after win at Pocono

This race ended on a caution which likely didn’t help with the booing after the race. Ryan Preece spun around and didn’t hit the wall. So, NASCAR held out on throwing the caution. By the time the leaders came around the track on the white flag lap, Preece was unable to get going and for safety, the caution was thrown.

You pair the lack of an overtime finish to the checkered flag with a controversial move to take the lead – fans last their minds. Hamlin didn’t care, though.

“I love it, I love it,” Hamlin said on the track after. “They can boo my rock out here in a few years.”

For those that don’t know, Pocono puts rocks out by the garage area. They represent legends of the sport and the raceway itself. Hamlin will assuredly get that rock one day with his seventh win at the track.

Denny Hamlin didn’t collect the checkered flag at the fence as fans booed and a few started to throw things. This year, his win will come home with him, as his car passed post-race inspection.