Kyle Larson Defends Himself Over ‘Bulldogging at Daytona’ Allegation from Erik Jones

Ex-NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has shared his thoughts on Erik Jones criticism of his aggression at Daytona.

Kyle Larson Defends Himself Over ‘Bulldogging at Daytona’ Allegation from Erik Jones

Kyle Larson and Erik Jones (Via IMAGO)

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The NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway this week, which marked the 2025 regular season final witnessed some wild moments that decided the direction of the race. One of the most significant incidents of the day was the aggressive shoving from Kyle Larson on Erik Jones that cost the Legacy Motor Club driver a shot at the win.

It was substantial, considering if Erik Jones would have had won the race, Kyle Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman wouldn’t have made it into the playoffs. But with a repeat winner in Ryan Blaney, the No:48 team made it into last-16 on points. Jones was frustrated after the race and called out the No:5 Chevy driver bulldogging everyone in the final laps.

On his post-race interview Kyle Larson was asked to respond to the claims and he defended himself. The Chevy driver pointed out that he only had positive intentions while making the move, as he hit the No:43 Toyota to get their lane going. Unfortunately, Jones didn’t see it that way, as the hots were only getting him out of shape and slowing the lane.  

I’m just trying to hit him and get our lane going. I feel like the Fords you can just really lock on to and push. Like, Toyotas and Chevys, we don’t latch bumpers very well, so I feel like the slams help advance the lane more. Maybe he thinks differently. I did get him a little out of shape one time I think and then I think that’s when I got by him.

Kyle Larson told Dustin Long of NBC Sports.

The No:5 Chevy driver could only see the bumper of the TRD car that was ahead of him, as they were racing pretty close in the last laps and even admitted that he should check reply of the race to see if he shoved the Toyota to a car ahead. But as of now, Larson doesn’t think he did anything wrong and insist that he was looking to make his drafting pack fast.

Dude, you’re just staring at a f*cking rear bumper in front of you. You can’t see in front of them, so I’d have to see the replay to even know if I shoved him into the guy in front of him. I can’t remember, there’s so much stuff that happens at the end. We’re all just trying to advance our lanes.

Kyle Larson added.

Kyle Larson is happy that Ryan Blaney won at Daytona

Further talking about the point during the same conversation, Larson reiterated that he didn’t make any mistakes. He then shifted his focus to his teammate Alex Bowman and admitted that he relieved that the No:48 car is in the playoffs.

Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney
Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO)

Then I don’t really think I made any mistakes there at the end, just the lanes and stuff didn’t work out in our favor. Yeah, cool to get another finish on a superspeedway and great to have Alex in the playoffs.

Kyle Larson said.

Now all four of the Hendrick Motorsports Chevy’s are in the playoffs, giving him a massive advantage over the rest. He is happy that Blaney’s win played a crucial role in it, though he wanted one of his HMS teammates or himself get the win.

That was pretty crazy there at the end with all the cars around us who needed a win to get locked in, and that was going to hurt him. Happy that Blaney won and was hoping just one of us who had won could win. Glad to have Alex in and all four Hendrick cars go for a championship.

Kyle Larson added.

The HMS garage didn’t have the best day at Daytona and the four Chevy driver has to work on their performance, redeem themselves by being upfront regularly from the first race of the playoffs at Darington. It would be interesting to see how they are going to perform.

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