3 Times Hendrick Motorsports Drivers Fought with Their Rivals on Track, Featuring Chase Elliott
Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) is one of the most successful and recognizable teams in NASCAR history. Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, the team has produced countless wins, championship titles, and legendary drivers. With a rich history that includes some of the sport’s greatest, Hendrick Motorsports has earned its reputation not only through skill and consistency but also through fierce competition. While HMS has undeniably contributed to NASCAR’s legacy of exceptional racing, it has also been involved in some memorable on-track rivalries, where emotions and tempers have flared, leading to memorable altercations.
One of the most interesting aspects of these on-track confrontations is how they reflect both the personalities of the drivers and the intense competitive nature of the sport. Among the many drivers who have raced under the Hendrick Motorsports banner, Chase Elliott—son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott—has emerged as a driver not only celebrated for his talent but also for his fiery competitiveness. Over the years, Elliott has found himself at the center of several high-profile rivalries and altercations, some of which have involved confrontations with his fellow competitors on track.
In this article, we will delve into three memorable occasions when Hendrick Motorsports drivers—especially Chase Elliott—fought with their rivals on the track, creating some of NASCAR’s most dramatic moments. These incidents showcase the fierce nature of competition, the pressure to succeed, and the passion drivers have for winning.
1. Chase Elliott vs. Denny Hamlin – 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs
The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs was one of the most dramatic seasons in recent memory, filled with twists and turns that kept fans on the edge of their seats. However, the rivalry between Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin reached a boiling point during the Round of 8 at Martinsville Speedway in the penultimate race of the season. At this point in the year, both drivers were among the favorites for the championship, and the pressure was mounting.
The Incident: A Clash for the Lead
The tension between Elliott and Hamlin escalated when the two drivers found themselves battling for the lead with only a few laps remaining in the race. As the race progressed, it became clear that the victory would be crucial for both drivers, as they were in a tight battle for the Championship 4 spots. Throughout the race, Elliott had been racing hard but clean, as he had all season long. However, Hamlin, known for his aggressive style, had little regard for backing down in the face of the pressure.
The incident occurred with only a few laps left, when Hamlin attempted to block Elliott, forcing the Hendrick Motorsports driver into a position where he had to make a bold move to pass. Elliott, with his characteristic intensity, nudged Hamlin out of the way, sending him spinning and allowing Elliott to take the lead.
The Aftermath: A War of Words
The aftermath of the Martinsville incident was filled with emotions. Hamlin, who had been a championship contender that year, was left frustrated by the aggressive tactics of Elliott. In post-race interviews, Hamlin expressed his dissatisfaction with the move, calling Elliott’s actions “dirty” and indicating that he felt Elliott had crossed a line in their on-track battle. For Elliott, it was a statement of intent. The incident showcased that he was willing to do whatever it took to win, even if that meant racing hard and making aggressive moves.
The rivalry between Elliott and Hamlin did not end at Martinsville. The two drivers continued to clash throughout the remainder of the 2020 season, culminating in an iconic faceoff during the Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. While Elliott would go on to win the race and the championship that year, the Martinsville altercation had set the stage for a rivalry that would continue for years to come.
Why It Was Significant
This rivalry between Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin was significant for several reasons. First and foremost, it marked a clear shift in Elliott’s persona from a talented, but relatively mild-mannered driver, to someone willing to mix it up on the track in pursuit of victory. The Martinsville altercation was one of the first signs that Elliott had fully embraced the aggressive style of racing that had earned other drivers their championship titles. For Hamlin, the incident was a reminder that despite his veteran status, the new generation of drivers like Elliott were ready to challenge him for supremacy. This clash in Martinsville became one of the defining moments of both drivers’ seasons and helped to establish one of the most compelling rivalries in NASCAR.
2. Kyle Larson vs. Chase Elliott – 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race
Another dramatic on-track confrontation involving a Hendrick Motorsports driver came in the 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway. Chase Elliott, the defending Cup Series champion, found himself involved in a heated battle with his teammate, Kyle Larson, in what was an unlikely showdown given their partnership within Hendrick Motorsports.
The Incident: A Battle for the Win
The 2021 All-Star Race had been a thrilling event, with multiple lead changes and high-stakes racing. Larson and Elliott, both driving for Hendrick Motorsports, found themselves battling each other in the closing laps of the race, with both drivers pushing their cars to the limit. Larson, having joined Hendrick in 2021, had already proven himself to be a strong contender, having won multiple races that season. Elliott, on the other hand, was determined to repeat his championship success from 2020.
What followed was a dramatic and emotional altercation that would be remembered for years to come. In the final laps of the race, Larson and Elliott were wheel-to-wheel, racing aggressively for the lead. In a move that raised eyebrows, Larson made a bold move to block Elliott, forcing the defending champion into a precarious position. Elliott, who had been racing hard all day, took exception to Larson’s tactics and retaliated, pushing Larson out of the way in the final corner.
The result was an emotional moment that saw Elliott take the victory in the All-Star Race, but not before a heated exchange between the two teammates. Larson, clearly frustrated, expressed his displeasure after the race, while Elliott justified his actions as part of the competitive nature of the sport.
The Aftermath: Teammates Turned Rivals
What made this confrontation particularly intriguing was the fact that Larson and Elliott were teammates at Hendrick Motorsports. The All-Star Race had been an event where they were supposed to work together, but their desire to win and the intensity of the moment had led to a fierce clash. In post-race interviews, both drivers maintained that there were no hard feelings between them, but it was clear that the incident had left a mark on their relationship.
Over the course of the next several seasons, the rivalry between Larson and Elliott would only grow stronger, particularly as Larson became a consistent championship contender. While they were still teammates, the competitive fire between the two drivers was undeniable. This moment from the 2021 All-Star Race served as a reminder that even teammates at a powerhouse organization like Hendrick Motorsports are not immune to conflict, especially when both are striving for the same goal: victory.
Why It Was Significant
The significance of this rivalry lies in its portrayal of the internal dynamics within Hendrick Motorsports. It demonstrated that the team, while dominant, had multiple championship-caliber drivers, all with their own ambitions. In this high-stakes moment, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott proved that even teammates, when racing for victory, could come into direct conflict. This clash also represented a turning point in the relationship between the two drivers, signaling that the pressure of racing for Hendrick Motorsports was going to lead to intense competition between them, something fans would continue to witness in the years that followed.
3. Jeff Gordon vs. Tony Stewart – 2007 NASCAR Cup Series
While this example does not feature Chase Elliott, it is impossible to discuss Hendrick Motorsports’ on-track altercations without referencing one of the most famous confrontations in team history: the 2007 incident between Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon, one of Hendrick Motorsports’ most legendary drivers, found himself in a heated rivalry with Stewart, a driver known for his fiery temperament.
The Incident: A Feud That Erupted at Bristol
The 2007 NASCAR Cup Series season was filled with fierce rivalries, but none were more intense than the one between Gordon and Stewart. Throughout the season, the two drivers had exchanged verbal jabs and on-track incidents, but it all came to a head at the Bristol Motor Speedway in March. The race was a crucial one for both drivers, as both were in contention for the championship.
The incident occurred late in the race when Gordon, leading the field, came into contact with Stewart. After a series of aggressive moves from Stewart earlier in the race, Gordon retaliated by giving Stewart a bump that sent the No. 20 car spinning. The incident ignited a full-blown feud that culminated in a heated confrontation after the race.
The Aftermath: A Battle of Words
In the aftermath, Stewart was furious, calling Gordon’s move “dirty” and vowing that he would get even with his rival. Gordon, for his part, was unapologetic, stating that he was simply racing hard to win. The aftermath of the Bristol incident was filled with heated words and moments of tension as the two drivers confronted each other in the pit area. The exchange between Gordon and Stewart became one of the most iconic moments in NASCAR history, further stoking the flames of their rivalry.
Why It Was Significant
The Gordon-Stewart feud was significant not only for the drama it created on the track but also for how it showcased the intensity of NASCAR’s competitive
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