Tensions within Joe Gibbs Racing intensified after the controversial altercation between Denny Hamlin and teammate Ty Gibbs at the Denny Hamlin New Hampshire incident during last Sunday’s Mobil 1 301, the opening event of the Round of 12 in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The incident occurred at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, affecting both drivers’ playoff ambitions and highlighting underlying friction in the JGR team.
Freddie Kraft, spotter for Bubba Wallace, reacted to the clash on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, providing insight into the situation that unfolded on track. During the race, Ty Gibbs, piloting the No. 54 Toyota Camry, saw his day cut short by a crash on Lap 111 which led to a broken toe link. As a result, Gibbs exited the event early with his third DNF of the season, while Hamlin managed to finish in twelfth position despite being part of the same incident.
Hamlin, a playoff contender, questioned why Gibbs, who is not competing in the playoffs, would risk the team’s prospects by battling aggressively over 11th place instead of a race lead. The disagreement underscored existing strains within JGR, especially with championship stakes at play.
Kraft Weighs In on the Heated On-Track Battle
Freddie Kraft described the incident with candid remarks on the podcast, expressing his understanding of the drivers’ actions and mentalities at this tense stage of the season.
“From what I understand, it was fairly warranted,”
Kraft said.
“You heard Denny get critical of Ty and people not wanting to talk to him. I don’t know him off the racetrack much but like, it just strikes me as a guy that’s not having fun all year.”
— Freddie Kraft, Bubba Wallace’s Spotter
“I feel like they just need to figure out how to get this kid back to having fun and enjoy being in the racecar,”
he added. — Freddie Kraft, Bubba Wallace’s Spotter
Gibbs’ standing in the Cup Series has been respectable, sitting 19th with 633 points after 30 races. He has collected four top-five finishes, nine top-10 efforts, and has led 300 laps during the ongoing season. Still, Gibbs remains in pursuit of his first win of the 2025 campaign, and the New Hampshire race only added to his frustrations.
Looking ahead, Ty Gibbs will try to regroup for the Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet at Kansas Speedway on September 28. The race, covering 267 laps, will be broadcast live on USA Network and updated on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Signals of Retribution Surface for Later Playoff Rounds
The on-track duel between Hamlin and Gibbs escalated over a span of ten laps, resulting in hard contact that removed Gibbs from the event. Frustrated, Gibbs issued a subtle warning for potential payback through his in-car radio, hinting that the issue between teammates might not be over.
Gibbs attempted to continue racing but soon found the wall again in Turn 2, ultimately leading the No. 54 team to retire the car from the race. While this marked another early finish for Gibbs, Hamlin focused his attention on the team dynamic, indicating he preferred the issue be handled internally.
“I’ll let leadership quarterback however they like to, but obviously we’re all trying to win a championship for their family,”
Hamlin said during a post-race interview at New Hampshire.
“So it’s crazy unfortunate why we’re racing the way we are.”
— Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
The Mobil 1 301 was eventually won by Ryan Blaney, securing his spot in the next playoff round. Other leading contenders included Josh Berry, William Byron, Joey Logano, and Chase Elliott, who rounded out the top five. The best finisher from Joe Gibbs Racing was Christopher Bell, who claimed sixth place.
The aftermath of the Denny Hamlin New Hampshire incident has stirred emotions and internal debate at Joe Gibbs Racing, with both drivers voicing their frustration and dissatisfaction. The possibility of lingering discord raises questions about the team’s unity as the playoffs progress and whether further retaliatory actions might unfold in future rounds. As the field heads to Kansas Speedway, all eyes will be on Hamlin, Gibbs, and the JGR organization to see if the tension on track will subside or continue to impact their championship hunt.
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