Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin feud continues to simmer
Jeff Owens
Jeff Owens has been covering NASCAR since 1991 and began covering the circuit full time in 1993. He has been with Street & Smith's Sports Group since 1998.
Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin were not on the best of terms when the 2009 season.
In fact, they were feuding like the Hatfields and McCoys.
Hamlin was tired of being run into by Keselowski week after week and decided to take matter into his own hands, wrecking Keselowski intentionally during the final Nationwide Series race of the season.
Now, fans are wondering if their feud will carry over into the 2010 season.
It sure looks like it as they continue to trade barbs whenever possible.
Ironically, the two can’t seem to get away from each other. Every time they turn around they are running into each other.
“I saw him a couple of times face to face,” Hamlin says. “We didn’t talk life or anything like that.”
Keselowski says they ran into each other three or four times during the off-season, including on New Year’s Eve.
“Then I came into the motor home lot last night and his bus was parked right next to mine,” he said. “There is some kind of dark, mystical force that keeps drawing us together.”
“Maybe he’ll make me dinner and send it over,” Hamlin said sarcastically.
Hamlin made it clear at NASCAR Media Day that he still doesn’t like Keselowski and continues to take shots at him.
“I was really looking forward to doing the basketball skills challenge with him at the Charlotte Bobcats game,” he said, “but I saw the highlights and that’s wasn’t pretty. It’s a good thing he can driver, that’s for sure.”
Asked if their feud was over, Keselowski said, “I don’t know. I feel good about it. On my end, it’s clear. You have to ask him on his end. I’m cool.”
Hamlin says he’s done with it, too, but still keeps taking shot as his rival.
“Last year was last year, and I feel like I’ve probably give him more press than what he deserves,” Hamlin said.
