In NASCAR’s modern era, few rivalries have delivered as consistently as the one between Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson. Both drivers boast championship-caliber résumés, with Hamlin’s 56 Cup Series wins and co-ownership of 23XI Racing and Larson’s 2021 championship run and raw, unfiltered talent across multiple racing disciplines. Every time they hit the track together, it’s a guaranteed show. And the 2025 Bristol race was no exception.

For Hamlin, it was his first 2nd-place finish behind Kyle Larson in their seven 1-2 finishes with each other. However, this weekend was more than just taking the checkered flag. Beyond the battle for victory, the garage was united in mourning the loss of some of the sport’s most respected figures. And amid all the racing drama, Hamlin found himself playing a different kind of supporting role.

Denny Hamlin’s bid for a historic three-peat falls short

Denny Hamlin entered the 2025 Food City 500 at Bristol with momentum, aiming for a third consecutive Cup Series victory after wins at Martinsville and Darlington. A win would have made him the second driver in the Next Gen era to achieve such a streak. Teammate Christopher Bell has achieved the feat with recent triumphs at Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix. Despite his efforts, Hamlin finished second to Kyle Larson, who dominated by leading 411 of 500 laps in a rather uneventful race.

In the post-race interview with Regan Smith, Hamlin acknowledged Larson’s dominance, stating, “You’ve got to give that team their due and Kyle his due. Just a dominant performance. Looked like a pretty flawless day for him.” Despite his own efforts, Hamlin admitted, “It was all I had to try to keep up there.” Hamlin is aiming for 60 wins in the Cup Series, and today’s run was a strong push for that, but Larson’s Bristol mastery continued, as the #5 led 400 laps at Bristol for the second consecutive race after leading over 400 during the fall race in 2024. This win was emotional for Kyle Larson, and Hamlin understood the significance of his win, as he emphasized the feelings inside the grid on the recent losses the sport has faced.

Denny Hamlin’s thoughts were with Jon Edwards, Hendrick Motorsports’ Director of Communications, who had recently passed away. “This weekend we are all thinking about Jon Edwards, his family, Al Pearce, and Shigeaki Hattori. We’ve lost a lot of great people in our sport over the past week. Thoughts are with them,” he said. Edwards was known for his dedication and played a pivotal role in shaping the team’s public image. The HMS veteran was also Kyle Larson’s PR manager when he passed, and Larson was very close to him, as he dedicated both his Bristol wins, Xfinity and Cup, to Edwards. So, despite finishing second, Hamlin was proud of his result on what was an emotional day for the sport.

Additionally, Hamlin mentioned Al Pearce, a respected motorsports journalist, and Shigeaki Hattori, a former driver and team owner who tragically died in a traffic collision on April 5, 2025. Al Pearce was a towering figure in NASCAR, covering 56 consecutive Daytona 500s and leaving a lasting legacy on the sport’s coverage. Dover Motor Speedway, the place where he covered his first race in 1969, and also shared their condolences. Hattori was an open-wheel racer and team owner of Hattori Racing during their days in the Truck Series. Hattori was a well-respected figure around the grid and achieved championship success with Brett Moffit in 2018. After losing so many legends in a short period, it’s only fitting that the sport goes into its only week of hiatus for the year.

Next week, there will be no NASCAR action as Easter weekend is here, and all the drivers get a break to spend time with their families and cool off after a blistering start to the season. Hamlin reflected on heading into the break with a playoff spot secured and having three top-2 finishes in a row, adding, “It’s been a great run over the last month. We’ve been really good. Just gotta continue this momentum, and it all starts tomorrow.” With 56 career wins, Hamlin stands as the second-most active winningest driver, trailing only Kyle Busch’s 63 victories. Hamlin will be hoping to overtake Busch by the end of the season. 

As the season progresses, Hamlin aims to build upon his recent successes and continue challenging for victories. The upcoming races present opportunities for redemption and further solidify his legacy in the sport. With the team’s current form, Hamlin’s prospects for future wins remain strong.

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Kyle Larson’s dominant victory at Bristol​

Kyle Larson delivered a commanding performance at the 2025 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, securing his second win of the season and the 31st of his NASCAR Cup Series career. Starting from the third position, Larson seized the lead from pole sitter Alex Bowman on lap 40 and maintained control for the majority of the race. He led 411 of the 500 laps, showcasing his dominance on the short track.

Denny Hamlin, aiming for a third consecutive victory, finished second, 2.25 seconds behind Larson. This marked the first time in their seven 1-2 finishes that Larson emerged victorious over Hamlin. Ty Gibbs secured third place, followed by Chase Briscoe and Ryan Blaney, who completed the top five. “Just a flawless race once again here for the No. 5 team. A really, really good car,” Larson said after his win.

The race was relatively clean. There were only three cautions and one significant multi-car incident involving Shane van Gisbergen and Cody Ware. The other significant mishaps happened on the pit road. For instance, John Hunter Nemechek lost a tire, which traveled down and struck Daniel Suarez’s car as he was leaving the pits.

Kyle Larson’s control of the race was evident as he managed to maintain his lead despite challenges from competitors and potential pit road mishaps. His victory at Bristol adds to his impressive record at the track, marking his third win in the past six races there. His previous win at Bristol was in September, where he led 462 laps to secure the victory.

This win solidifies Larson’s position as a formidable competitor in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. With two wins under his belt, he continues to demonstrate his prowess on short tracks and his potential for further success as the season progresses. Doo you think Larson can topple his six-win season from 2024 in 2025? Let us know in the comments!