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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 05: Kyle Larson (#5 Hendrick Motorsports HendrickCars.com Chevrolet) looks at Chase Elliott (#9 Hendrick Motorsports NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet) as he answers a question for a media press conference during the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum NASCAR Cup Series race on February 05, 2022, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 05: Kyle Larson (#5 Hendrick Motorsports HendrickCars.com Chevrolet) looks at Chase Elliott (#9 Hendrick Motorsports NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet) as he answers a question for a media press conference during the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum NASCAR Cup Series race on February 05, 2022, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Following the NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen, there was a bit of a spat between Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott.
The two drivers were at odds because the defending champion seemingly forced his teammate off the track. It all stemmed from where the two drivers were positioned in the final restart, with Elliott on the left and Larson on the right.
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Looking back at the incident, Larson said “I knew that was kind of my only opportunity. I’m not proud of it.”
“But being in the inside lane, the right lane, being the leader, choosing the left lane, it definitely wins out. But when it gets to late in the race, it’s definitely risky.”
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“Like I said, I knew that was my only opportunity to get by him. I felt like our cars were pretty equal today.”
Chase Elliott has every reason to be mad at Kyle Larson
It is worth noting that when Larson won both of his races, after some coming together with Elliott. Case in point, his first win of the season at Auto Club Speedway. There, the #5 driver forced his teammate into the wall in the closing laps of the race. When he spoke about that incident, Larson confessed that it was merely an accident.
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Jun 12, 2022; Sonoma, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) races during the NASCAR Toyota – Save Mart 350 event at Sonoma Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
The events at Watkins Glen, though, were just the result of hard racing during a restart. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion was simply thankful that their on-track scuffle did not end either of their races.
Though he did admit that his actions did cost Chase Elliott a win, they have raced well against each other in the past.
For now, though, he has acknowledged that he and Elliott cannot afford to engage in a cycle of revenge. Larson said, “there’s more than just me to worry about.”
Of course, with one final race in the regular season left, it is a possibility that Elliott may try to seek revenge. Beyond that, they know that the Playoffs is no place for petty vengeance and they have to focus on their campaigns.
