Kyle Larson took a public shot at fellow NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. during his latest visit to Dodger Stadium. While meeting with Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Larson posted a photo to Instagram and joked that Roberts was giving Stenhouse a lesson in anger management.
The joke was a result of Stenhouse losing his temper in Mexico City, following an on-track incident with Carson Hocevar.
Kyle Larson Pokes Fun at Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for Losing His Cool in Mexico
Larson, who recently visited Dodger Stadium with Stenhouse Jr., posted a photo on his Instagram page with a witty comment on the HYAK driver’s temper. “[Stenhouse] getting a lecture from manager Dave Roberts on how to control his anger,” Larson wrote.
On Sunday, June 15, on Lap 90 of the Viva Mexico 250, Hocevar, who was a lap down, slid into Stenhouse Jr. and spun him out. After the race, Stenhouse marched down pit road, slammed his fist on the 22-year-old’s helmet and shouted, “I’m gonna beat your ass when we get back to the States.”
Hocevar later apologized, saying he had accidentally gotten “in the marbles” and wasn’t racing anyone seriously at the time. Stenhouse didn’t accept the excuse, calling the move “really dumb” and warned that this was the second time Hocevar had caused trouble.
The issue between the two drivers goes back to Nashville Superspeedway two weeks earlier. In that race, Hocevar spun Stenhouse early and ruined his day. The two spoke afterward, and Hocevar admitted he had been too aggressive.
The Hyak Motorsports driver said he gave a clear warning to Hocevar on the phone: one more incident and there would be problems. Now, after the second run-in in just three races, Stenhouse’s frustration has boiled over.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on whether Hocevar can adjust his driving line to avoid contact and if Stenhouse will follow through on his threats.
Kyle Petty Shares His Thoughts on Kyle Larson’s Admission of Not Wanting to Attempt ‘The Double’ a Third Time
Larson on the other hand has not looked in top form since his second failed attempt at the double, competing in the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Before that, he was on a four-race streak of top-five finishes, including two wins.
Larson’s attempt at the double on Sunday, May 25, didn’t go as planned. He crashed out of the Indy 500 on Lap 91 and finished 27th. Then, he ended up 37th at Charlotte after crashing out on Lap 245. Afterward, Larson said it was “a bummer” and suggested he might not try it again.
But veteran NASCAR driver and analyst Kyle Petty doesn’t think Larson’s words are final. In an interview with Motorsport Reports, Petty said he believes Larson’s comments were driven by emotion.
“I think the disappointment and the emotion of having two races back to back that were terrible races, really terrible races, when you look at the caliber of driver that he is… I think that might have been emotion speaking,” Petty noted.
Petty also pointed out that Larson is the type of driver who can get into any kind of car and compete. “He represents NASCAR well by showing up at Indy,” Petty added.
Larson remains second in the Cup Series standings, just behind teammate William Byron. Both drivers are locked into the playoffs. Larson’s next chance to bounce back comes at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, June 22, in The Great American Getaway 400.