"I don't think I did anything wrong": Kyle Larson makes his conviction known about Homestead-Miami setback as he defends RCR rival

Kyle Larson spun trying to clear Austin Dillon and snatch the lead during Sunday's Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. While speaking with journalist Bob Pockrass post-race, the Hendrick Motorsports driver said he had done nothing wrong.

Larson, who saw it as his shot to win, was proud of his efforts. With about 20 laps to go, he was cruising inside the top 3. At the time, Dillon was running the top lane with reigning Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney at his side. Larson tried sneaking into a gap between his fellow racers but lost control over his HendrickCars.com Chevy going into Turn 3.

"I had a shot to win so proud of my effort there," Kyle Larson told Pockrass. "Just bummed that it didn't work out there in the three. Austin did nothing wrong. I was hoping he'd see me coming and maybe give me the top knowing that I was running there but he didn't; he kept running his line and there (was) little bit of a hole. I thought that might be my opportunity to win. If I could get clear of Austin and get to the wall and who knows how exit four went but just didn't work out that way."

A caution followed with 13 laps to go. Larson had to make a pit stop before the impending restart and thus was relegated to 10th place. As the race neared its end, the Elk Grove native fell back even further. He finished 13th, picking up 24 playoff points on the way.

"You just don't know if you're gonna have another chance so that's as close as I had gotten to him and felt like I had to make the move because just the way that the air is and the grips out of the tires and you're just kind of stuck. I don't think I did anything wrong...there was a gap and I was trying to take it," Larson added. (0:58)

Larson now sits in the bubble, seven points behind the cutline. He has to win next week's race at Martinsville or gather enough points to keep himself in the hunt for the championship.

"I didn't even know the 5 was coming"- Austin Dillon reflects on late-race clash with Kyle Larson

Austin Dillon, too, spoke with Pockrass following his late-race encounter with Kyle Larson's car. The Richard Childress Racing driver felt he did nothing wrong, either. He was holding his line against the outside wall.

"I was just holding my line against the wall. That was the one place I could just stay." Dillon explained. "I thought they'd turn right under me. I didn't even know the #5 was coming truthfully."

"But in the end, I was just against the wall and I think he got in hot and caught my left front. I mean, I didn't do anything but stay against the wall."

Dillon finished 25th, while his teammate and two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch wound up 31st in the 38-car field. 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick took the win for the third time this season. He is now locked in for his first Championship 4 appearance.