Denny Hamlin needles, makes Kyle Larson feud joke

Denny Hamlin took a jab at Kyle Larson on the latest episode of his podcast Actions Detrimental. At the end of the episode, Hamlin told co-host Jared Allen to take the tape off his laptop, and the tape was covering up a sticker that said “H1100 Kyle Larson.” The sticker represents Larson attempting the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 double this year, and Hamlin pointed out one issue that had to be addressed.

“It’s still 500,” Hamlin said, referring to Larson competing in only the Indy 500 and not the Coca-Cola 600 due to weather conditions at both events.

Everything about the two weeks and all that was great until today, so just uh, sad. … Yeah it’s just sad,” Larson told Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports after missing the Coca-Cola 600. “Everything that could have went wrong today, went wrong. So, hopefully, hopefully get to do it again in the future and hopefully weather is better next time.”

Over the last few weeks, Hamlin and Larson have battled each other on the track. Last week on the podcast, Hamlin set the record straight and said he’s not feuding with Larson.

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson deny being rivals

“It’s not [a rivalry],” Hamlin said. “I like Kyle and listen, just watch the race and we all do this to each other all the time. I don’t know why there’s an emphasis, is it because we’re up front all the time? Maybe that’s it, but the 5 and 12 [Ryan Blaney] ran each other up the racetrack. It’s racing, it’s short-track racing — get over it.”

Larson echoed Hamlin’s comments after their run-in in Nashville. “I don’t know. I mean, I wouldn’t agree or disagree. It comes and goes,” Larson said. “I feel like you know, we race well together at times, and there’s times when I feel like you know, he races me not the fairest, and I’m sure he feels the same way.

“So yeah, it’s not an ongoing rivalry, but there’s definitely weeks and stretches where it compiles. But hopefully we can move on from it soon, and I can get a little bit of respect from him.”

Hamlin and Larson will continue to battle throught the year as both have qualified for the playoffs. They are two of four drivers to win at least three races this season with the other two being Christopher Bell and William Byron. Larson is looking to win his second Cup Series title while Hamlin is looking for his first championship.