Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson put on a thrilling battle for the lead in the final lap Sunday at Kansas Speedway, with a little nudge by Hamlin all he needed to score a big win.
Heading into the final lap of the NASCAR Cup Series race, Hamlin closed in on Larson’s back bumper, looking for an opening to pass. Hamlin nudged him once, getting Larson a little loose. After backing off a little Hamlin charged, once again nudging Larson.
That second tap got Larson loose, sending him into the wall. That allowed Hamlin to get by and sail on to the checkered flag for his 49th career NASCAR Cup Series victory. After brushing the wall, Larson regained control and hung on to finish second.
Larson did not seem upset by Hamlin’s move.
“I was really loose … he was just a little better than me at the end,” Larson told FS1 after the race. “He was just touching me, and it had me out of control.”
A great one-on-one battle between Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin results in Hamlin getting the bumper on Larson for the win! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/MgVV8LhE0i
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 7, 2023
The FS1 broadcast crew broke down the winning pass, and everyone agreed: That’s just racing.
NASCAR fans, on the other hand, had mixed emotions about the finish. Many fans thought Hamlin pulled a dirty move. Others thought it was a move reminiscent of the legendary Dale Earnhardt.
Denny Hamlin: We Need Clean Racing!
Also Denny Hamlin: Wrecks Another Driver For A Win pic.twitter.com/RTqZrbjnGp
— Devin Cook (@devincook021) May 7, 2023
That was a fantastic race. Great battle at the end. Seriously, how can anyone hate that. 👍
— Steve Paris (@StevieParis2) May 7, 2023
Man these guys ruin great photo finish opportunities by just getting a little too close
— Dale Wright (@dcwright07) May 7, 2023
Some of y’all never watched Earnhardt race and it shows. It was a light tap, snowflakes. ❄️
— Jeremiah 🏆 (@AmfibiusProphet) May 7, 2023
Ah Hamlin wrecking someone to win a race. Gosh never seen that one before
— Matt Hagy (@RealMatty_Ice) May 7, 2023
If Denny Hamlin goes on his podcast and compliments this race and it’s finish. Then, no. You can’t call it a classic finish. It was dirty and unworthy of that after your move, Denny. Nothing classic about it.
— #ThankYouZeke (@BlaiseMichaux) May 7, 2023
Love or hate Denny, that was GREAT racing and just a racing deal. I agree, the dude complains about a lot, but I can’t judge him off of that incident.
— Tanner Siegfort (@tannerdrummer) May 7, 2023
That’s NOT one of the greatest finishes…….it’s just typical @dennyhamlin 👎👎
— Lisa Eldridge (@4lisa_rae) May 7, 2023
