“They see highlights": Denny Hamlin reacts to Matt DiBenedetto’s take on Kyle Larson incident at Nashville

After the Nashville chapter in the Denny Hamlin vs Kyle Larson rivalry, part-time NASCAR driver Matt DiBenedetto made a sarcastic comment. The Xfinity Series driver claimed that the way Larson passed Hamlin was similar to how Hamlin races Larson.

This was something brought in front of Denny Hamlin recently during an episode of the podcast "Actions Detrimental". As his co-host Jared Allen spoke about DiBenedetto's post on X, Hamlin asked, "Who's that?"

Allen replied that it is the same driver who's career he ended. But Hamlin defended himself by revealing that the truth is otherwise.

"I didn't end his career. I helped his career. I bought the guy sets of tires when he was on social media about not having money to go racing," Hamlin said. [33:50]

But as Allen read DiBenedetto's words about the Nashville incident between Hamlin and Larson, the #11 driver claimed it was a misleading take.

"See, that's the thing. They see highlights. They don't watch the entire race, nor do they see what happens when we're not on camera. I simply have converted my style into Kyle Larson's style that he's been racing for 10 years. So now it's just clashing because we're driving each other the same. Just fun racing," Hamlin said. [34:10]

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Denny Hamlin apologized to Matt DiBenedetto after his Bristol win in 2019

Heading into the Bristol night race in 2019, Matt DiBenedetto knew he had to win the race to get a seat the next season. This is because his team, Leavine Family Racing had already told him that they won't be backing him in 2020.

But the win, which DeBenedetto desperately needed, went to Denny Hamlin, while the driver fighting for his future finished second.

This led to Hamlin apologizing to DiBenedetto despite winning the race fair and square (via ESPN):

"I'm so sorry to Matt DiBenedetto, [crew chief] Mike Wheeler. I hate it. I know what a win would mean to that team," Hamlin said as soon as he exited his car. "But I've got to give 110 percent."

The #11 driver claimed DiBenedetto was "the worst person possible" to pass with eight laps to go in the race. Hamlin remained optimistic about DiBenedetto's future in NASCAR, saying that he was sure the young driver would "land on his feet", and if he doesn't, the team owners "are idiots."

"Someone with that much talent deserves to be racing for wins on a regular basis," Hamlin added.

Meanwhile, the Leavine Family driver expressed his sadness and congratulated Denny Hamlin, a driver he'd been a fan of since his childhood. DiBenedetto mentioned that he was trying to contain his emotions after a tough week. He added that he wanted "to stick around" and keep racing in NASCAR "for a long time," remaining optimistic as he claimed that "something is going to happen."