What would NASCAR racing be like if it weren’t for the on-track rivalries? Over the year, there have been several epic clashes between the drivers, and it looks like Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace are continuing the tradition. It all started with their confrontation at Las Vegas Motor Speedway back in 2022, and it was the #23 car that fired the first shots, spinning Larson at Richmond Raceway last weekend.

In reply, the HMS driver piped him to take the pole win at Martinsville Speedway by a millisecond. Surprisingly, Bubba Wallace walked over to the pit road and congratulated his rival for his impressive lap during qualifying. While the camera crew wasn’t able to hear the conversation the two drivers had, Larson has now revealed the conversation they had.

Here’s what Kyle Larson thinks about his rivalry with Bubba Wallace

Bubba Wallace was sitting pretty at the top of the driver standings to grab the pole for the Martinsville race with a timed lap of 19:719. Larson was the only driver that could topple him off the pole, but a stale first attempt virtually handed Wallace the pole. However, in a surprising turn of events, the #5 car shifted gears in the second attempt and stole the pole position with the slightest of margins.

It was a sort of sweet revenge moment for Larson after being spun out by his rival last weekend. But despite their heated moments, there is no bad blood between the two drivers, and Wallace’s gesture clearly signified that. Revealing their conversation at the period, the HMS driver said, “I think he just said Eff you,” he said jokingly.

Larson went on to add the equation the two drivers share, even after their fair share of heated moments on the race track. “No, it was cool to get a pole, but to edge Bubba out because he’s got a big personality. I knew he would come up and say something on the pit road. I think we do, although we have had our couple run-ins along the way. We have a lot of respect for each other.”

Larson certainly made the most of his pole position during the race at Martinsville Speedway, finishing just second behind his teammate, William Byron.

Kyle Larson’s string of good performances continues in Martinsville

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It was a historic day for Hendrick Motorsports, as for the first time in the history of Cup racing at Martinsville, a team had three of its cars finish in first, second, and third place. William Byron’s strategy call to make the first stop running green was the difference maker of all three HMS cars. While Larson secured himself a stage one win, he fell down the pecking order, unable to weave his way through the traffic.

William Byron, on the other hand, made huge leaps, starting 18th and finishing P1, securing his third win of the season. Kyle Larson finished second, with Chase Elliott finding himself a P3 finish. Interestingly, this was the third top-5 finish for Larson in the short-track race for the season. Not to forget, he already secured his playoff spot with a win at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier in the season.

With just eight races into the season, Kyle Larson will be feeling pretty optimistic about his chances of bringing in more wins to the HMS camp. Also further solidifying his stance as a genuine title contender for this season.

Read More: Conspiracy Theories Taint Bubba Wallace’s Name Amidst Raging Blame for Boss Denny Hamlin’s Richmond Win