NASCAR star Denny Hamlin has insisted that nothing has changed when it comes to his relationship with Tyler Reddick despite the pair being locked into an exciting battle at the top of the Cup Series.
Following Sunday's race at San Diego, Reddick's lead at the top of the Cup Series standings was cut to just eight points, with Hamlin in second having made up huge ground in recent weeks.
With Hamlin being a driver at Joe Gibbs Racing and a co-owner at 23XI, it's certainly a unique position for the driver of the No. 11 to be in, competing against his own driver for wins and at the top of the standings.
But, despite all of that, the pair maintain a healthy relationship and speak as much as they ever have, according to Hamlin.
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Denny Hamlin on Tyler Reddick relationship
"Nothing has changed," Hamlin insisted post-race on Sunday. "I mean, mine and Tyler’s dialogue on a weekly basis is as high as it’s ever been. I believe in him. I want him to finish second.
"I mean, I think he’s got years and years and years and years and years to win lots of races and a championship. My clock, the hourglass, is getting low.
"But I will do everything I possibly can to give them all the tools they need to go out there and win. I will never hold back any information from them or anything that they ask me because that’s part of my responsibility.
"It’s part of the advantage that we have. No other owner is on that race track understanding what these drivers are talking about, then can dictate how we move our resources around to fix what they think and what I think we need to work on.
"I think that is really a great strategic advantage for us. It’s showing in race wins right now."
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