NASCAR now has a thrilling storyline with Denny Hamlin embracing the villain role and his golfing partner and close friend Kyle Larson being on the other side. While it looks like last week’s controversial race at Pocono caused the friction between the two, Kyle Larson’s post-race interview suggested that this was a long time coming with Hamlin donning the role of a passive aggressor.

Earlier this year, fans witnessed a similar late tangle between the two when Hamlin bumped the #5 Chevy to steal his first win of this season at Kansas Speedway. While the Hendrick Motorsports driver dismissed it, last week’s incident really did upset Larson, calling out his friend and issuing him a stern warning.

However, as we head to another race week in Richmond, the veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver remains unyielding despite Larson’s payback warning, saying, “That’s not my problem.” Astonishingly, he even put out a piece of advice to fans who are siding with Larson.

Defiant Denny Hamlin remained unfazed, even countering Larson’s claim

Chasing his first title despite being in the game for almost 18 years is frustrating, and Hamlin’s actions are indicative of the psyche being bent on making the most out of this season.

Both his wins at Kansas and Pocono haven’t been without controversy. In fact, the veteran has now donned the villain persona following his last-minute tussle with Larson, reminding the community of last year’s race when he pulled the same stunt on his then-rival, Ross Chastain.

While karma got the best of him last time as NASCAR disqualified the #11 for modified parts, this time though, the veteran smoothly snatched off a win to jump up to the 3rd position in the standings. Speaking on Rubbin is Racing, the veteran yet again cleaned his hands, justifying his act and dismissing it as a racing incident.

He went on to explain the whole debacle, saying, “I didn’t think that there was any contact because I looked at the evidence in which I knew I was driving the car, I didn’t feel a thing. I looked on the right side, there’s not a scratch on it, not a dent, not a scratch, not anything. So, if there was contact, you know, I was unaware of it.

“I asked the team, ‘Was there any?’ No, I don’t think so. I mean, of course, they might be biased towards me, but f**k, I mean that’s what they’re supposed to do so right?” 

Further, he still is defiant even after Larson warned him of payback. He said, “If you’re upset that we touched in an into-the-race scenario, racing for the win, that’s your problem, that’s not my problem.” 

READ MORE: Joe Gibbs Discloses Brushing Off 12-Year-Old Denny Hamlin’s Bold Claim Before Making History With JGR

The 42-year-old then delivers a piece of advice to frustrated fans who criticized him for last week, subtly poking them.

Smug Hamlin pokes the jab at HMS fans, asking them to look back at things

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The veteran Denny Hamlin was on top of the world, basking in his glory following his 7th win at his favorite track, The Tricky Triangle. The #11 driver is the only one to rack up this many wins at the tight technical 2.5-mile track. Claiming his 50th win of his Cup Series career with the packed crowd in the stands booing him unapologetically, Hamlin proudly embraced his inner villain, gesturing to the hostile crowd that this was his 7th win.

Soon after the race, all hell broke loose as Larson came out with sharp words, coupling down on his friend, Hamlin. But unintimidated by Larson’s stern warning suggesting a payback, Hamlin returned fire, mocking him and riling up HMS fans despite being at the wrong end.

WATCH THIS STORY: Denny Hamlin warns Bubba Wallace to watch out amid creeping playoff desperations 

Later, he even threw in a few jabs, urging them to look back two years, saying, “If fans have a problem with it, then they should look back at in the last 2 years when the roles were reversed and saw that maybe their driver did the same thing and were up in arms in that moment or were they justifying it you know sometimes you got to look at it objectively but sometimes fans dont which I understand.” 

Will the calm and cool HMS driver return Hamlin’s favor and pay him back? What do you think?