Erik Jones BLASTS Kyle Larson for “Bulldogging” Him at Daytona

Erik Jones is frustrated with 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson’s aggressive shoving that cost him a race win at Daytona.

Erik Jones BLASTS Kyle Larson for “Bulldogging” Him at Daytona

Erik Jones and Kyle Larson (Via IMAGO)

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The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway witnessed some wild moments, solid runs, and clutch win from Ryan Blaney that broke the heart of many racers desperate for a win. Legacy MC’s Erik Jones was one of them and 2021 Bill France Cup winner Kyle Larson played a significant role in his misfortune.

The veteran Toyota driver found himself close to winning the race and secure a spot in the playoff for the team, which would have been the first ever under the Jimmie Johnson ownership. But a shove from Kyle Larson, in the final laps of the race cost him the opportunity for the win and earned him only a P5 finish.

After the race, Jones shared his thoughts on the over aggressive racing from the No:5 HMS driver and admitted that he might have a conversation with the Chevy driver over it. He highlighted how the solid run he was making with Justin Haley was ruined because of the contact they made, eventually costing him a potential last-16 spot.  

I don’t know. I got to ask Kyle. The run before, you can see the seven (Justin Haley) and I working really well together and pushing to the lead. Even the 22 (Joey Logano), the 17 (Chris Buescher), all of us were working really well together and pushing the lead when we could and taking the runs for what they were.

Erik Jones told Toby Christie.

Further talking about the point, Jones asserted that Rick Hendrick’s driver was super aggressive with him, despite the fact that he raced him fairly and called the veteran out for bulldogging through the filed. While minor hits are part of superspeedway racing, the moves that was made this race week was certainly over the limit.

The five (Larson) there got behind us and was just super aggressive, just kind of bulldogging through us. He kept getting me a little more and a little more out of shape, and it was just too much at one time.

Erik Jones added.

Erik Jones disappointed with the overall result at Daytona

In the same conversation, Jones asserted that Kyle Larson wasn’t helping him or the drafting pack by hitting him from the back, causing him to lose the balance. It not only slowed him down, but also slowed the pack that was pushing each other.

Jimmie Johnson and Erik Jones
Jimmie Johnson and Erik Jones (Via @LEGACYMotorClub/X)

Fortunately, we didn’t wreck but I gotta ask him. I dont know what his thought was. It wasn’t really helping us go forward, it was kind of slowing us down before I got to far out of shape. I just got to see what his thought was.

Erik Jones asserted.

The only positive thing about the final result was the fact that he was able to finish the race and secure P5, which unfortunately didn’t help him in the chase for the playoffs. But running upfront and good execution on the track gives him some momentum going into the last 10 races.

Glad it’s in one piece and we finished, but unfortunately fifth tonight doesn’t do much for us. We were good… I’m glad we could hang onto it and at least finish, but just disappointed. Put ourselves in a great spot and executed well all day right to our plan and it just didn’t work out.

Erik Jones said.

While Jones made some valid arguments in criticism of Kyle Larson, the full blame can’t be put on the Chevy driver. Shoving is part of Superspeedway racing and the comments is sharper due to fact the incident cost the LMC driver a shot at win, he very rarely gets.

Also Read: (Video) Ryan Blaney Produces Mega Charge from P13 to Win “WILD” Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona