Denny Hamlin ignited a Denny Hamlin NASCAR controversy at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after spinning teammate Ty Gibbs in a dramatic and heated incident on Sunday. The clash between the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers unfolded during an intense battle for position, raising questions about teamwork in high-stakes playoff conditions.
Frustration Reaches Boiling Point Between Hamlin and Gibbs
Lap after lap, tension simmered inside the Joe Gibbs Racing camp as Denny Hamlin, a seasoned veteran competing for a championship, found himself unable to pass Ty Gibbs, his younger teammate, at Loudon. Hamlin’s mounting frustration was apparent over the radio, repeatedly urging his crew to communicate with Gibbs and resolve their impasse, but cooperation never materialized.
As the pressure built, Hamlin’s patience unraveled. Before the incident, Hamlin voiced his anger on the team radio, expressing his doubt and agitation about the situation. The moment escalated when, after a warning tap, Hamlin ultimately sent Gibbs spinning, forcing the number 54 car to back into the wall and causing significant damage.
“The Nos. 11 and 54 get together! @TyGibbs spins and backs it into the wall. pic.twitter.com/Qp9oVyufFF” — NASCAR (@NASCAR)
The emotions inside the number 11 car only intensified leading up to the spin, as Hamlin was recorded saying,
“Does Ty know we’re going for a championship? What the f**k?”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Even after the caution, questions swirled about whether Hamlin’s actions were justified or if the blame could be shared due to ongoing miscommunication between teammates.
Aftermath at Joe Gibbs Racing and Playoff Implications
The fallout was immediate for Ty Gibbs, who returned to the race but continued to experience car troubles. Eventually, additional contact with the wall ended his day prematurely. The frayed relationship between the two drivers sets up a tense atmosphere within Joe Gibbs Racing as the team faces its upcoming meeting, likely to address the incident and prevent further fallout as the championship battle intensifies.
Hamlin’s demands for a break stemmed from the difference in stakes—while Hamlin remains a contender for the NASCAR title, Gibbs is not in the running, prompting debate about how teammates should race each other in such scenarios. With the playoffs heating up and every point critical, incidents like this can have a ripple effect on the team’s prospects.
Hamlin’s Response Amidst Playoff Pressure
For Denny Hamlin, recent playoff runs have been fraught with frustration and setbacks. Determined not to let internal factors disrupt his championship ambitions, he reacted decisively to what he saw as unnecessary obstruction by his own teammate. The New Hampshire race saw Hamlin steadily work his way into the top ten by late Stage 2, while Joe Gibbs Racing watched the drama unfold.
Joey Logano controlled the front of the field for much of the race, but the main storyline became the conflict between teammates, overshadowing the action up front. The incident reinforced the reality that NASCAR’s playoff battles can turn intense, even between drivers on the same team.
Impact on the Championship Race Moving Forward
With emotions running high and tempers flaring, the Denny Hamlin NASCAR controversy at New Hampshire brings added drama to an already turbulent postseason. The internal discord at Joe Gibbs Racing could complicate their efforts in the remaining playoff rounds, especially if team strategy and communication remain unresolved.
As teams regroup, attention will focus on how Hamlin, Gibbs, and the entire Joe Gibbs Racing organization handle the aftermath. With the stakes higher than ever, the scrutiny on teammates’ behavior and cooperation will only intensify during the crucial weeks ahead as the NASCAR Playoffs continue.
The Nos. 11 and 54 get together! @TyGibbs spins and backs it into the wall. pic.twitter.com/Qp9oVyufFF
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 21, 2025
