Denny Hamlin asserts that Kyle Larson is justified in criticizing his spotter.
Kyle Larson (Via IMAGO)
The NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday was an exciting event with delays due to rain, numerous accidents, and intense radio exchanges. The two Cup champions had the most notable drama of the day, with one expressing frustration towards rivals and the other directing strong words towards his spotter.
After a track collision with Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson’s spotter criticized his own driver for allowing contact with the JGR veteran. Unsatisfied with the comment, the No. 5 HMS driver responded by telling his spotter, Monn, to “shut up.” Now, Hamlin, who was at the center of the drama, addressed the incident on his podcast.
Hamlin agrees with Kyle Larson and believes his spotter should have refrained from speaking. He argues that spotters often have biases in favor of their drivers, which may have influenced the criticism. However, Hamlin acknowledges that spotters need to support their drivers in certain situations.
The collision between Larson and Hamlin is a recurring occurrence on the track. Hamlin mentions that he and the No. 5 Chevy team often find themselves fiercely competing for the win, which leads to collisions.
The rivalry between the two drivers shows no signs of diminishing, as both are strong contenders for the championship this season. Additionally, they are competing for the coveted regular season championship, with only eight races remaining before the playoffs.