Alex Bowman confesses that he enjoys observing confrontations between drivers from the sidelines.
The competition among top drivers and the collisions they have on the racetrack to establish dominance over each other has always been a major attraction for NASCAR fans. From intense clashes involving one driver to another, the sport has witnessed some iconic matchups. However, currently, NASCAR is lacking such thrilling rivalries.
Alex Bowman, a member of Hendrick Motorsports, was recently asked about a rivalry he would like to witness on the track. He expressed his interest in any confrontations that do not involve him. After careful consideration, he suggested that a matchup between Kyle Larson and his teammate at HMS would be highly entertaining. Despite Larson and Hamlin being close friends, their shared determination to win makes a clash between them a possibility.
Denny Hamlin, who is currently considered the ultimate antagonist in NASCAR, has had notable conflicts with all the drivers at HMS, including Bowman. Therefore, it would not be surprising if a rivalry between Kyle Larson and Hamlin materializes, as envisioned by the No. 48 Chevy driver. The No. 5 Chevy also played a role in Hamlin’s transformation into a villain.
Before the COTA cup race, Hamlin had a conversation with a former NASCAR Cup champion about his journey towards becoming a villain. During this discussion, he mentioned that his clash with Kyle Larson at Pocono in 2023 and the negative response from fans made him embrace the role of a villain. He realized that there was no way for him to regain the favor of those fans.
As Alex Bowman pointed out, Hamlin and Larson have the necessary backstory to create an entertaining rivalry. If executed well, this could greatly benefit NASCAR, as increased entertainment value will attract more fans.