As the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the crucial Round of 12, Joe Gibbs Racing championship hopes are rapidly gaining momentum, with drivers Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell emerging as the leading contenders. With all three pilots surging into top positions following an undefeated sweep in the opening playoff round, the organization’s prospects for capturing the title at Phoenix Raceway have never looked brighter.
How Joe Gibbs Racing’s Playoff Sweep Changed the Game
At the onset of the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) boasts three playoff drivers—Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell—all positioned firmly within the upper ranks of the championship chase. Of the twelve competitors remaining, Hamlin leads, Bell is ranked fourth, and Briscoe holds the sixth spot going into the penultimate round.
Much of the current optimism surrounding Joe Gibbs Racing championship hopes stems from the stunning consecutive victories by Briscoe, Hamlin, and Bell in the Round of 16. Each racer clinched a win—Briscoe at Darlington, Hamlin at Gateway, and Bell at Bristol—ensuring their advancement and preventing any rival team from celebrating a victory in this critical stage. The psychological edge gained by sweeping the first round has undoubtedly placed pressure on other organizations, which failed to secure a single race win and now face an uphill battle moving forward.
“BRISCOE WINS at Darlington! Congrats @chasebriscoe! 💪🏁🏆@JoeGibbsRacing @Toyota pic.twitter.com/ZyLhmKUCQt”
— Bass Pro Shops (@BassProShops)
This collective show of strength means all three Joe Gibbs Racing drivers enter the Round of 12 with increased confidence and improved seeding compared to their standings after the regular season, setting the stage for a high-tension championship fight.
Inside the Team: JGR’s Leaders Assess Their Championship Outlook
Despite the excitement and pundit praise following the Round of 16 sweep, Denny Hamlin, a veteran competitor for Joe Gibbs Racing, has expressed caution regarding sweeping proclamations of JGR dominance. While recognizing the unique achievement, Hamlin insists that there is still work to be done before any driver can be anointed as the clear favorite for the championship.
“But … I still think it’s anyone’s race. I just think the narrative could change very, very quickly. So, I would pump the brakes.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin’s measured approach reflects the unpredictable nature of the NASCAR playoffs, with each race capable of shifting team standings and playoff hopes. His statements, made recently on his weekly podcast, resonate with both fans and analysts, who understand that the pressure intensifies as the championship sweepstakes narrow.
While Hamlin preaches patience, Christopher Bell, JGR’s winner at Bristol, projects a far more optimistic attitude. Bell emphasizes how the team’s recent performance has elevated morale and established Joe Gibbs Racing as the preeminent force in the sport at this stage.
“But, certainly, we’re all super-happy and thrilled with how it’s going.”
— Christopher Bell, Driver
Bell’s upbeat assessment was echoed following his Bristol victory, where he managed to resist a strong challenge from fellow competitor Brad Keselowski, reinforcing both his own confidence and that of his teammates.
“Christopher Bell holds off a hard-charging Brad Keselowski to WIN at Bristol! pic.twitter.com/BXPbFNWroq”
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX)
Joe Gibbs Reflects on a Dominant Performance
Joe Gibbs, the organization’s Hall of Fame owner, is no stranger to the emotions and pressures of the NASCAR championship run. Following Bell’s triumph at Bristol, Gibbs shared his enthusiasm for the outstanding team achievement, underlining the effect such victories have within the broader organization.
“To have our other three cars winning in the first round, I think it just says a lot for the way we feel back at the race shop,”
— Joe Gibbs, Team Owner
“It’s a big deal all the way across the board for us. It really means a lot.”
— Joe Gibbs, Team Owner
The impressive sweep not only bolstered the morale in the garage but also signaled to rivals the formidable challenge posed by JGR’s lineup as the postseason advances.
Looking Ahead: Championship Stakes at Phoenix Raceway
The intensity surrounding Joe Gibbs Racing championship hopes now escalates with each passing round. JGR’s three-driver surge means the organization could, for the first time in years, see all of its remaining contenders in strong positions going into the high-pressure final races.
As the competition approaches Phoenix Raceway, where the championship will ultimately be decided, the mental and technical prowess of Briscoe, Hamlin, and Bell will be tested against a hungry field of competitors. With each race gaining weight, every pit strategy, every overtake, and each piece of teamwork will carry amplified significance, not only for the drivers but also for the entire Joe Gibbs Racing operation.
If JGR can sustain its current form, the team’s Round of 16 sweep may be remembered as the defining moment that turned championship dreams into reality, reinforcing Joe Gibbs Racing’s legacy as a powerhouse in NASCAR.
BRISCOE WINS at Darlington! Congrats @chasebriscoe! 💪🏁🏆@JoeGibbsRacing @Toyota pic.twitter.com/ZyLhmKUCQt
— Bass Pro Shops (@BassProShops) September 1, 2025
Toyota is looking strong, but it’s not time to get comfortable… 👀
Hear @dennyhamlin’s thoughts on Actions Detrimental, out now! 🏁
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Apple: https://t.co/hjErv0WxUr
YouTube: https://t.co/psPEFUBdqY pic.twitter.com/2LKyvYyXC4— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) September 8, 2025
Christopher Bell holds off a hard-charging Brad Keselowski to WIN at Bristol! pic.twitter.com/BXPbFNWroq
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 14, 2025
