The Joe Gibbs Racing playoff struggle took center stage at New Hampshire, where Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney surged to the front and led a sweeping Ford effort, shifting momentum in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Unfolding after a strong opening round by JGR’s Toyotas, this reversal highlighted a dramatic change in fortunes as Blaney’s dominant run left JGR’s key contenders grasping for explanations just as the stakes intensified.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s director of competition, Chris Gabehart, candidly addressed the challenges facing the team after Team Penske’s forceful performance at the one-mile “Magic Mile” track. Despite entering New Hampshire with confidence earned from sweeping the first three playoff events, JGR’s top cars quickly fell behind, and the team’s playoff momentum faded as the race unfolded.
Penske’s Performance Redefines the Playoff Landscape
Although JGR did not suffer a catastrophic result, expectations had been high after recent successes. Team Penske took command early, with Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin—proven specialists at this venue—unable to lead even a single lap. Bell’s sixth-place finish as the top Toyota highlighted the challenge, while 23XI Racing’s playoff hopefuls, Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, both found themselves well outside the top 20—a bitter result that revealed deeper frustrations in the JGR camp.
Tensions were further exacerbated by on-track incidents, including a clash between Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, adding to internal pressure. In his post-race remarks, Chris Gabehart shed light on the dynamics that enabled Team Penske to seize control, focusing on key elements within the current aero package and tire choices.
“I think the biggest thing you’ve got to take away from today is, with this aero package, with the same tire as Phoenix at a 1-mile race track, the Penske cars are completely untouchable again,”
Chris Gabehart, JGR competition director.
Inside Joe Gibbs Racing’s Response to the Setback
Gabehart, who helmed the team during both highs and lows, acknowledged the difficulty of seeing rivals achieve the same untouchable supremacy his own group once enjoyed. His assessment was underscored by a keen awareness that Team Penske, JGR, and Hendrick Motorsports all possess the capability to dominate when conditions favor their strengths.
“So, I know what it’s like to be untouchable. We’ve been fortunate enough to be on the right side of that. But the reality is, we got a lot of work to do with this package, and that’s the focus.”
Chris Gabehart, JGR competition director.
Despite the apparent struggles, Gabehart’s insight also reflected a seasoned understanding of NASCAR’s unpredictability. He advised that one performance—however disappointing—does not dictate a team’s fate, especially as every track brings its own variables and technical quirks.
“You can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater here. But the reality is, it’s playoff season, and here come the yellow cars, with subpar metrics along the way, but those guys know how to get it done when it counts. And, you know, we’ll just have to race them the rest of the year and see how it goes, I guess,”
Chris Gabehart, JGR competition director.
What Penske’s Victory Means for the Road Ahead
Blaney’s control was emphatic, as he led 116 laps, including the final 39. This achievement secured his place among the elite eight who will continue to contend for the championship, marking a clear statement in the playoff battle. The outcome not only deflated JGR’s previous momentum but also set the stage for intensified rivalry among NASCAR’s top organizations, including Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske, and Hendrick Motorsports, as the season advances.
With competitive spirit running high and the margin for error shrinking, Joe Gibbs Racing must regroup and address the issues exposed in New Hampshire. As Chris Gabehart emphasized, adaptation and focus will be essential if JGR hopes to rebound from this setback and reignite their championship campaign in the demanding weeks ahead.
Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart on Hamlin and Gibbs plus 'here come the yellow cars.' pic.twitter.com/Kem6zJglY2
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) September 21, 2025
Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart on Hamlin and Gibbs plus 'here come the yellow cars.' pic.twitter.com/Kem6zJglY2
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) September 21, 2025
