NASCAR: 3 new rivalries that we did not see coming

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season had been relatively quiet, but rivalries have developed down the regular season stretch and into the playoffs. Here are three we didn’t see coming.

The NASCAR Cup Series serves as the premier stock car racing league for fans to tune in to for a variety of reasons. A mix of oval, dirt and road course racing with cars that resemble counterparts of their manufacturer may be enough for some, but the entertainment aspect of the sport is what keeps most others tuning in.

Aside from crashes with which the sport has typically been associated, rivalries are among the biggest factors associated with stock car racing. While long gone are the days of Dale Earnhardt vs. Jeff Gordon, the sport has seen plenty of rivalries since then, and that isn’t going to change.

Throughout much of the regular season, there weren’t really any rivalries to speak of, and the main storyline was Hendrick Motorsports dominating the schedule. In particular, Kyle Larson and his road to redemption after being suspended last year captured many headlines.

But with the playoffs underway, this has changed thanks to the new rivalries; here are three we did not see coming.

Rivalry No. 3: Kyle Larson vs. Christopher Bell

Speaking of Larson, the 29-year-old from Elk Grove, California found himself in a bit of a battle with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell. The rivalry between Larson and Bell stemmed from when Larson spun Bell out at Watkins Glen International. Larson had already committed to the inside line in turn one, but Bell went low in front of him, leading to a collision.

Larson went on to win the race, and he apologized to Bell, who finished in seventh place, in his post-race interview, but Bell used his interview to air his grievances. From there, the feud picked up more went Larson went on SiriusXM radio to say that Bell wouldn’t speak to him.

Bell clapped back by saying that Larson reached out via a text that read, “Sorry, hate I spun you”, and further added that he was bothered by the fact that Larson went to the media to complain about Bell’s lack of response.

This rivalry could also be dated back to the Bristol Motor Speedway dirt race, when Bell tried the high line and wrecked out, collecting Larson in the process. On the radio, Larson was clearly frustrating, stating, “Way to go, Bell. Way to go.” Larson then bumped Bell’s car heading into the pits.

While it may be simmered down for now, it’s important to note that Bell and Larson are both still in the playoffs, and Bell may have to push his luck harder considering the fact that he sits well below the round of 8 cut line, while Larson holds on to the top spot. It remains to be seen if this rivalry will add a new chapter.