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Kyle Larson expects Denny Hamlin to race him differently following text conversation

JHby:Jonathan Howard•07/30/23•

Jondean25

Kyle Larson
David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

After speaking with Denny Hamlin “briefly” over text, Kyle Larson expects to be raced differently by his friend. The two drivers might be the newest rivalry in NASCAR. However, it isn’t something that either seems keen on continuing. They have spoken with one another, but now they have to race each other.

Ahead of the Cook Out 400, Kyle Larson has had to answer a lot of questions about Pocono. Denny Hamlin and Larson said their piece on their respective podcasts. However, it feels like there is still some tension there.

Whatever happened behind the scenes, Larson expects things to improve between the two on the track. If not, there are going to be more “issues.” We knew the two texted each other, but now we know a little more.

“Yeah he wanted to meet up but I just didn’t feel like we needed to,” Larson said to NBC. “I feel like just briefly texting was the best thing to do. Because I think in person I probably would have ended up more upset with him and he probably would have been upset with me as well. So I think it was the best thing just to briefly text.”

When asked about any further action between the two on the track, Kyle Larson was honest.

“I mean heck you can’t really predict anything. At least I have a better awareness of how – you know he’s been around me in the past so I know what to expect in the future. I imagine he’ll race me a lot differently going forward and I would say if not then we’ll probably have even more issues.”

Starting P14 today, it will be an uphill battle for Larson in the Cook Out 400.

Kyle Larson will try to sweep Richmond

Earlier this season Kyle Larson was able to win the Richmond race. After frustration on the West Coast swing, Larson was able to beat the field and his teammate William Byron. That win then led to his first win ever at Martinsville.

Richmond is a track that Larson races well at. He has always raced well at the 3/4-mile track. In fact, he earned the pole award in his first-ever Cup race at the track. With two career wins, he is looking to add to that great record.

The thing is, this is also Denny Hamlin’s home track. One that he has four wins at and he knows well. Hamlin starts off P3 and will have the track position on Larson early. However, it wouldn’t be crazy to see these two side-by-side by the end of the 400-mile race.

Kyle Larson has a chance to sweep Richmond and that would be massive for him. Any playoff points he can get, any win he can grab right now only helps his championship hopes.