Larson and Spotter Get Heated at New Hampshire

 

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson and his spotter Tyler Monn had a intense exchange at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday.

 

The incident occurred on Lap 214 of the race, when Denny Hamlin made contact with Larson, sending him up the track. Monn, who was guiding Larson from the spotters’ stand, radioed his driver with his assessment of the situation.

 

“Kyle, he’s (Hamlin) getting the better of you because you’re letting him,” Monn said.

 

Larson, who was visibly frustrated, responded bluntly. “Shut the fuck up, Tyler,” he said.

 

The exchange was caught on the team’s radio broadcast and quickly went viral on social media. While some fans and drivers came to Larson’s defense, others felt that Monn was simply doing his job.

 

“I’m just trying to give him the best information I can,” Monn said in a post-race interview. “I understand Kyle’s frustration, but I’m just trying to help him win.”

 

Larson, who finished 14th in the race, declined to comment on the incident. However, his team owner, Rick Hendrick, defended his driver. “Kyle’s a passionate racer, and sometimes that passion boils over,” Hendrick said. “But he and Tyler have a great relationship, and they’ll work through this.”

 

The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the role of spotters in NASCAR and the pressure they face to perform. While some drivers rely heavily on their spotters, others prefer to rely on their own instincts.

 

Regardless, the exchange between Larson and Monn has added fuel to the already intense rivalry between Larson and Hamlin, which is sure to be a storyline to watch in the coming races.