Hamlin and Logano feud not over

Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin have exchanged text messages since their final-lap crash at Auto Club Speedway last weekend that left Hamlin hospitalized with a fractured vertebra, but Hamlin says the exchange did not go well.

"The conversation was both short and unproductive," Hamlin told The Associated Press.

The feud between Hamlin and Logano intensified March 17 when Hamlin spun Logano at Bristol Motor Speedway and Logano confronted Hamlin after the race, prompting a scuffle between the two teams. Hamlin's comments indicate that their feud is far from over.

Team owner Roger Penske said he's also sent text messages to Hamlin, who is expected to miss at least six weeks. Penske and Logano, one of his drivers, were playing in the pro-am leading up to his week's PGA Houston Open. Logano twice turned down interview requests.

Hamlin was examined Tuesday by Dr. Jerry Petty of Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, who determined he won't need back surgery.

"I've texted back and forth with him and said that we're thinking about him," Penske said. "Obviously, we're hoping for a speedy recovery. It's never good to have a driver out for a period of time."