During the race at Fontana, we got the first glimpse of what could be, the biggest rivalry in NASCAR in the future. Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, teammates at Hendrick Motorsports, made contact from which the 2020 Cup Champion came off worse while the defending champion went on to win the race.

This led to a furious rant by Elliott aimed at his teammate, which many considered a sign of the No.9 star finally feeling the heat of competition against his superstar teammate.

In a recent interview, former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty spoke about how Larson’s success is finally creeping under Elliott’s calm and composed demeanor.

“At 3’O’clock in the morning when you wake up. And you’re laying there in bed and you’re staring at the ceiling, your teammate won 10 races and a championship. It tears your butt up,” he said.

“You can’t go back to sleep.”

“Because that’s where Kyle Larson has gotten under Chase (Elliott), and gotten into Chase’s head,” Petty added. “Not this accident. This is just a little spur, this is just a little burn in the saddle.”

Kyle Larson rivalry will help Chase Elliott up his game according to Petty

Petty explained how with Kyle Larson outperforming Chase Elliott, week-in, week-out will make the latter a better driver.

“The big thing is, getting your butt kicked every week on the racetrack. And I think that will make Chase, in long run, a better driver ‘cos Chase knows he’s gotta up his game,” he said.

“And Rick’s (Hendrick) always had that. We go back and look at Jeff Gordon, if you look at Dale Jr, if you look at Jimmie Johnson, they’ve fed off each other. That’s what keeps that team ahead,” he continued.

“So he’s got two guys positioned to carry him for a long-long time.”

As for which driver is his pick, Kyle Petty chose neither Larson nor Elliott. “I’m a William Byron fan,” he said.

“I’m telling you, William Byron is gonna be the man.”

Also Read: Hendrick GM Dismisses Theories of Chase Elliott Deliberately Bringing Out a Caution After Contact With Teammate Kyle Larson