Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson are friends away from the racetrack, but that doesn't mean the friendship is apparent when the two are racing each other for a NASCAR win.
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There was no better example than the recent incident at Pocono Raceway, which saw Larson run off his line and into the wall. Larson was quick to share his anger after the race about how he saw Hamlin race him there.
With this past weekend's race at Richmond over with, it appears Hamlin has offered an "olive branch" to Larson, as he noted on a new episode of the "Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin" podcast.
Larson recently celebrated his 31st birthday; and though it doesn't appear Hamlin knew that, he still gifted something to the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports driver.
Hamlin is co-owner with Michael Jordan for 23XI Racing; and as co-owner, he gets the opportunity to go to some cool places. He recently got to visit Jordan's private golf course, the Grove XXIII, also known as The Grove. Hamlin talked about the trip and how he was able to get a gift for Larson during that trip.
"I got him a pair of shoes from The Grove from this past week, and I got him the new Grove Jordan ball marker, and I delivered it before media this week," Hamlin said on the podcast. "I didn't realize it was a birthday present. It was more of an olive branch of, 'Sorry, and here you go.' Because usually, when I go to The Grove — for those that don't know, that's (Michael) Jordan's golf course he owns in Florida — there's always exclusive apparel that you can only get there, whether it's shoes, shirts or whatever. And usually, I get a request from 'the buddies' to pick up a few things. They didn't ask for anything, but I thought I'd be a friend and get some stuff."
Although it seems that this budding rivalry is far from over, Hamlin just wants to put Pocono behind him. He and Larson have texted and talked about it, and they raced each other tough at Richmond, including a slight bump from Larson.
Kyle Larson BUMPS Denny Hamlin! #NASCAR
Watch on USA Network. pic.twitter.com/rG8B4cXqRY
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 30, 2023
Olive branch or not, these drivers are just tough competitors trying to put themselves in the best position to win.
The two will remain friends off the racetrack and try not to have any more issues on the track. But it is the NASCAR Cup Series, and they are two of the best at what they do.
