Associated Press | File 2009

Denny Hamlin (left) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (right) have plenty to say about NASCAR'S "have at it boys" directive.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Hours before the season's first practice, the verbal sparring that NASCAR hoped for with its' "have at it boys'' directive to drivers was evident.

Machismo replaced polite banter Thursday at Daytona International Speedway as some drivers let it be known that they won't be bullied on the track as NASCAR loosens its rein on drivers.

Brad Keselowski, whose feud with Denny Hamlin in the Nationwide series late last season sparked what some hope will be a rich rivalry, says he won't change. Instead, other drives will need to do so.

"If you're established in the sport right now and you have a good ride on a good team, you don't want to see a guy like myself come in,'' said Keselowski, whose aggressive driving style irked veterans last year in the Nationwide and Cup series.

"I think the negative feedback that I've gotten has been either from the established guard or the fan base of the established guard.''

Including Hamlin and his fans, but Hamlin admits he's devoted too much time to Keselowski.

"Ultimately, I feel like I've probably given him more press than he deserves,'' Hamlin said.

Then again, it's hard to separate the two.

Through fate or a '"mystic force,'' as Keselowski described it, their motorhomes are parked next to each other in the driver's lot. They'll be neighbors through the Feb. 14 Daytona 500.

"Maybe he'll make me dinner and send it over,'' Hamlin said.

Don't count on it.

Even newcomers share this sense of bravdo. Danica Patrick, who makes her stock-car debut in Saturday's ARCA race and her NASCAR debut later this month, says she won't be pushed around.

"If somebody does something to me that I don't like, you have to expect that you'll get something in return and I have fenders now so that is pretty exciting,'' she said.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he's interested to see how his fellow competitors will react with NASCAR not likely to penalize drivers as often.

"I think you might see some more aggressive driving on some of the short tracks, and I think whoever is leading is a target,'' he said.

"It will be interesting really to see exactly what gets penalized and what doesn't.''

Four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson doubts that fans will see much different on the track even with all the talking.

"On the track, guys race each other, we all race each other how we've been treated,'' Johnson said.

"Unless I go in there and start some stuff, start wrecking people, I just don't see it happening.''

Except maybe with Sam Hornish Jr.

"He hits way too much stuff, including me, at important times of the year,'' said Johnson, who wrecked after contact with Hornish at Texas during last year's title Chase.

"And then he never said a word. I wish he'd just walk up and say, "Man, I meant to crash you.' Either way, wouldn't you think with what is on the line, you would just walk up to the guy (and say) it wasn't my fault, somebody hit me.''

Hornish said "maybe'' he should have talked to Johnson but said it wouldn't change the result.

"A lot of people want to say, "Are you guys trying to start a rivalry?' Hornish said.

"I don't want to start a rivalry with anybody. It's a little upsetting that he's upset with me.''

That's just what NASCAR likes to hear, drivers feuding before the first race of the season.