Kyle Larson recently expressed his support for Denny Hamlin following the intense confrontation between Hamlin and Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire. Understanding the complexities of teammate tensions firsthand, Larson related to Hamlin’s viewpoint on the expectations that come with racing alongside playoff and non-playoff teammates.
Larson on teammate expectations emphasized the importance of cooperation while acknowledging the pressures that lead to conflict, especially in high-stakes moments during the season.
Past Rivalries Inform Perspective on Team Dynamics
Larson’s experience includes repeated on-track clashes with Chase Elliott, his Hendrick Motorsports teammate. Their confrontations, such as the one at Iowa Speedway earlier in August 2025 where their cars made contact multiple times during restarts, highlight ongoing tensions. Despite the frustration evident over team radio, both drivers assured the public that these incidents did not harm their working relationship within the team.
Unlike Larson and Elliott resolving conflicts privately, Hamlin advocated for formal leadership involvement to clarify how teammates should handle racing situations, particularly differentiating between playoff contenders and other drivers.
Examples of Team Cooperation and Expectations
Larson detailed how teamwork often occurs subtly, unnoticed by fans and television. For instance, during a stage of a recent race, teammate Alex Bowman allowed Larson to pass several times despite having the opportunity to overtake again. Bowman’s choice to hold position rather than challenge Larson illustrates the unspoken agreements that can ease intra-team racing.
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, NASCAR driver
Larson further acknowledged Hamlin’s frustration, explaining that every multi-car team has conversations setting expectations for these scenarios. He added that he anticipates improved communication and conduct moving forward after the recent disputes.
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, NASCAR driver
Balancing Cooperation and Competition in Final Stages
When asked if a non-playoff driver should yield to a playoff teammate on the track, Larson was clear that yielding is appropriate during certain parts of the race, such as in early stages.
At that point in the race, yeah. I mean, it was stage one, stage two, maybe.
– Kyle Larson, NASCAR driver
However, Larson draws a firm boundary for the closing laps of a race. He believes that no driver should be forced to give up a chance to win regardless of team alliances, while still maintaining that cooperation is expected during less critical moments, especially mid-pack battles earlier in the race.
Implications for Team Strategies and Future Races
Larson’s comments highlight the ongoing tension teams face balancing individual ambition with collective success. The situation at New Hampshire and Larson’s backing of Hamlin underscore a need for clear communication and established protocols within teams to navigate competitive racing while preserving unity.
By addressing how playoff and non-playoff teammates interact on track, leadership intervention may help prevent future conflicts and improve cooperation, ultimately impacting team performance throughout the season’s remainder.
