Chris Gabehart’s NASCAR playoffs prediction comes as Joe Gibbs Racing completed an impressive sweep of the Round of 16, delivering commanding performances at Bristol and beyond that have shifted playoff momentum. As the next round approaches, Gabehart signaled championship ambitions for JGR at a pivotal moment for Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe on the playoff grid.
JGR Dominates Opening Playoff Round
Christopher Bell clinched a determined win under the lights at Bristol, ensuring JGR swept every race in the Round of 16. Powered by strong showings from Bell, seasoned driver Denny Hamlin, and rising competitor Chase Briscoe, the team’s Toyotas finished ahead of rivals from Hendrick Motorsports and Penske, signaling a shift in the playoff narrative. Briscoe’s victory at the “Lady in the Black,” Hamlin’s success at Gateway, and Bell’s decisive closeout at Bristol created a powerful surge for the Joe Gibbs Racing camp.
Chris Gabehart’s Championship Outlook After the JGR Sweep
The next stage of the NASCAR Playoffs begins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and attention turns to Chris Gabehart, JGR’s Director of Competition and former Hamlin crew chief. After celebrating the team’s sweep of the Round of 16, Gabehart shared a confident and clear message about their championship aspirations.
“I do think the champion is coming from this room. I’ve no idea what door number its going to be, I genuinely don’t. I think it could be any one of these three door numbers. Be ready for your moment, you could be the difference in that.”
— Chris Gabehart, Director of Competition
His statement underscored both belief and challenge for the three JGR playoff drivers, including Bell—last year’s winner at New Hampshire—Hamlin, and Briscoe, each carrying momentum into the next round. Joe Gibbs Racing’s official account shared the moment with fans, creating anticipation across the fandom as the next challenge looms for the team’s trio of drivers.
Doubling down on his outlook, Gabehart pushed for broader ambition:
“Never does it say we can’t win every race, we’ve won the first three playoff races, there’s seven to go. Let’s win them all!”
— Chris Gabehart, Director of Competition
Round of 12: Key Races Ahead and JGR’s Strong Track Record
Denny Hamlin currently leads the playoff standings as the field heads to the Round of 12, with the action set to unfold first at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Bell returns as the defending race winner, while JGR’s dominance stretches even further—placing at least one driver in the top two at New Hampshire in each of the last thirteen races at the mile-long track. This record highlights how strongly Joe Gibbs Racing has performed at venues with similar characteristics, stacking the odds in their favor heading into the next races.
The upcoming series of events will test all playoff hopefuls, with the trio of races at New Hampshire, Kansas, and the Charlotte Roval offering varied challenges. Each track brings unique demands, and the results will be pivotal for drivers as they chase critical playoff points and seek to secure a coveted spot in the next round.
Significance of Gabehart’s Prediction for the Playoff Picture
Gabehart’s bold NASCAR playoffs prediction and the sweep by Joe Gibbs Racing have set a high bar and ignited further excitement for what’s ahead. His comments send a clear signal to competitors and fans alike: JGR and its drivers—Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe—intend to stay at the forefront of the championship fight. As the Round of 12 unfolds with key races broadcast on USA Network, all eyes remain on whether JGR’s strategy and momentum can continue their playoff run and fulfill Gabehart’s confident forecast.
Did you hear what Gabehart just said 🧐😏 pic.twitter.com/xojkTRmP2F
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) September 16, 2025
