Denny Hamlin clinches 57th NASCAR win at Michigan International Speedway on a dramatic weekend, marking his third victory with new crew chief Chris Gayle and sparking an emotional response from former crew chief Chris Gabehart. The #11 Joe Gibbs Racing team’s strong performance was highlighted by Gabehart’s heartfelt congratulations and praises for both the team’s strategy and execution.
#11 Crew’s Strategy and Gabehart’s Continued Support
Veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin managed to take the win at Michigan in a race defined by clever fuel management and team coordination. This win brings Hamlin’s career total to 57 victories and is his third under the guidance of Chris Gayle, who took over crew chief duties this season. Chris Gabehart, who led the team since 2019 and helped secure 22 of Hamlin’s wins, including two Daytona 500 titles, transitioned to competition director after the 2024 season, a move that caught Hamlin off guard.
After the race, Gabehart expressed his admiration for the team’s championship effort, directing a message to Hamlin, the pit crew, and all involved in the organization’s Michigan victory. The pit crew executed flawlessly, and an astute race strategy under pressure helped the team avoid costly errors in the crucial closing stages.
“I’m late… but not without love! 🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁 @dennyhamlin , @JoeGibbsRacing , and all of my @ToyotaRacing teammates got it done in a big way at Michigan. That win took a little bit of everything! Very proud of everyone’s execution and hard work. And now… we 🇲🇽” he wrote on X.—Chris Gabehart, Competition Director
Mixed Results for Gibbs Teammates and Competitors
While Hamlin drove to the front late in the race and secured a place among regular season points leaders, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates had varying outcomes. Ty Gibbs earned third place but expressed frustration with a conservative fuel strategy hindering a potential race win. Christopher Bell brought home a sixteenth-place result after a relatively quiet event. Chase Briscoe, who started from pole for the second time in as many events after Nashville, was unable to carry that momentum forward and finished twenty-third.
Hamlin’s latest win elevated him to third in the overall regular season standings. Bell moved down one spot to fourth. Briscoe, meanwhile, maintains a 41-point cushion above the playoff cutline, and Gibbs sits 52 points below, creating a significant challenge as the 2025 season unfolds.
Hamlin’s Reflections and Outlook for Mexico City
Denny Hamlin recalled the optimism shared during the team’s pre-race meeting at Michigan. Chris Gabehart, now in a new leadership role, openly predicted the #11 would finally win at the venue, a feat that eluded them as a pair despite coming close on past occasions. According to Hamlin, Gabehart joked that his absence from the pit box might be the charm that sealed the deal for the team.
“I’ve been really close here in the past. Gabehart said yesterday after our debrief, You’re going to win tomorrow, I know it, of course, because I never got to win with you here, so of course you’re going to win now that I’m not here. He knew it was coming. I knew it was coming,” Hamlin said in the press conference (via SpeedwayDigest.com)—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Looking forward, Hamlin spoke candidly about his expectations for NASCAR’s upcoming Cup race in Mexico City. His record on road courses in the Next Gen era has been modest, securing just one top-10 finish in sixteen starts.
“It feels really good and certainly gives you confidence going into racetracks where I know realistically I’m aiming for good days.”—Denny Hamlin, Driver
The team faces uncertainty heading to Mexico City, as Hamlin could miss the event due to his wife’s impending delivery. Ryan Truex is on standby to substitute in the #11 Toyota if Hamlin is unable to race that weekend.
What This Victory Means for Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing
Denny Hamlin’s triumph at Michigan sets a confident tone for the #11 team as they approach a pivotal stretch in the season. With strong backing from both past and present crew members, including Chris Gabehart and Chris Gayle, and a motivated pit crew, Hamlin’s pursuit of a championship remains very much alive. Joe Gibbs Racing, meanwhile, will look to build on momentum from Michigan, fostering hope among fans and the NASCAR paddock as the series heads into new challenges, starting with the inaugural event in Mexico City.
