Dale Earnhardt Jr. draws parallels between the Kyle Larson-Chase Elliott drama and the Gordon-Johnson rivalry

Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott collided during pit exit at Kansas which was reciprocated by Chase Elliott during caution.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. draws parallels between the Kyle Larson-Chase Elliott drama and the Gordon-Johnson rivalry

Chase Elliott, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Larson (Via IMAGO)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently highlighted the ongoing tensions between teammates at Hendrick Motorsports, Chase Elliot and Kyle Larson. Drawing from past incidents of former HMS teammates, particularly Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr. made it clear that such disagreements within the HMS team were not unprecedented.

The HMS teammates had a quarrel on track at the Kansas Speedway. Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott were in a tight spot during the Hollywood Casino 400. Larson’s pit road maneuver brought him dangerously close to Elliott, resulting in contact between their cars. Later, under caution, Elliott retaliated with a bump of his own. This unfolded into a drama that has been a hot topic lately. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWm1FRu2AJo

On his podcast, Junior emphasized that disagreements and conflicts among teammates were not unusual within the Hendrick team, referring to the Martinsville incident between Johnson and Gordon. He stated, “There’s been disagreements. I know and Jimmie & Jeff had that episode as well where Jeff was pounding on the back bumper and Jeff didn’t love losing that race to Jimmie even though he owned part of the car.” He added, “They sort of had a difference of opinion of how that goes down.”

FS Video

During the 2007 Martinsville race, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, both teammates at Hendrick Motorsports, engaged in an intense battle. Jimmie Johnson emerged victorious, but not without a dramatic late-race struggle as Jeff Gordon relentlessly pursued the lead. Johnson’s defensive driving skills and composure ultimately secured the win.

Discover: Denny Hamlin claims ‘upper-echelon’ driver Chase Elliott might not win a race in 2023

Dale Earnhardt Jr. acknowledges that Chase Elliot and Kyle Larson are not the closest friends

Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott (Via IMAGO)
Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott (Via IMAGO)

The rivalry between Larson and Elliott had been simmering since the 2022 Fontana race.  Racing for the lead with 20 laps left, tension escalated when Elliott moved outside, and Larson swerved to block, causing contact. Larson won, while Elliott finished 26th after hitting the wall. Earnhardt Jr. acknowledged that Larson and Elliott might not be the best of friends off the track, saying, “We don’t see them hanging out, and they don’t need to hang out.”

As for the recent Kansas incident, Dale Earnhardt Jr. made it clear that he didn’t need Chase Elliott’s explanation. He stated, “I don’t care whatever Chase wants to do, whatever Chase wants to say. I don’t need Chase to tell me what happened. I don’t need Chase to tell me how he feels. I saw it. I make my own assumptions.” He also suggested that Elliott wouldn’t openly admit to any ill intentions, as it would only worsen the situation. 

In the aftermath of the Kansas incident, both Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott addressed the situation. Larson explained his perspective, highlighting that he tried to leave as much space as possible while exiting the pit lane and understood Elliott’s initial anger. On the other hand, Chase Elliott downplayed the incident, stating that no message was intended and that he had no lingering issues with Larson.

In case you missed it: