Denny Hamlin directly addressed accusations that he deliberately caused Ty Gibbs to crash during their race at New Hampshire, making it clear he had no intention of wrecking his teammate. The incident, which took place in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race opener at New Hampshire, has sparked heated discussion among fans, prompting Hamlin to speak out about the circumstances of the contact and the factors that influenced the incident with Ty Gibbs. The topic of “Denny Hamlin wrecks Ty Gibbs” quickly gained traction as speculation swirled throughout the racing community.
Hamlin Addresses Fan Accusations About the Incident
After the race, Denny Hamlin used his Actions Detrimental podcast to send a pointed message to those suggesting he had purposely spun Ty Gibbs. Speaking candidly, Hamlin commented on the nature of their on-track contact, emphasizing that the result was not part of any master plan.
“You can see that we were making contact when he pulled down to the middle lane right in front of me,”
Denny Hamlin said.
“We were already together, like it took nothing. And no, I wish I was that good. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t have wrecked Chase Elliott when I tried to move him up the racetrack back in 2017. It all depends on what point of the racetrack you’re at.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin acknowledged that racing incidents depend on the conditions of the track and where contact happens, and he noted that even experienced drivers can be caught out by these factors. He reminded fans that past attempts at similar moves, including with Chase Elliott, haven’t played out as intended.
Hamlin’s Explanation: Breaking Down the Contact With Gibbs
Providing additional context, Hamlin detailed his point of view from the crucial lap when contact occurred with Ty Gibbs. According to Hamlin, he was positioning into Turn 1 as Gibbs moved to block, setting up the circumstances for their cars to come together.
“I was pretty much there into Turn 1, and then he moved down to the middle lane to cut the nose off,”
Hamlin said.
“If you cut across someone’s nose, especially if they’re running really close to you, it will make their car kind of lift up and take off. I think he was just trying to cut across my nose to make me lose air, just to aero block me. I was so close to him, I’m like, ‘Hell no. You’re not going to do that.’ I tried to shove him up to the net lane to get my position. Unfortunately, it spun him out.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin elaborated that his intent was to defend his position and not to deliberately send his teammate spinning. Even so, he conceded that the attempt to hold his ground ended up with Gibbs spinning out, a result he did not want and did not expect.
Pressure of the Playoffs and Teammate Dynamics at Joe Gibbs Racing
The stakes were high when Hamlin and Gibbs collided; they were fighting for 11th place during Lap 110 in the playoff opener of the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire. For Hamlin, staying clear of trouble was essential to maintain his standing in the playoffs, with every finish crucial in the Round of 12.
In the aftermath, both Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs expressed frustration over the radio to their respective crew members, highlighting the tension that can erupt, even among teammates, during fiercely competitive moments. The situation was made more complicated by the fact that both drivers represent Joe Gibbs Racing, and Hamlin openly questioned why Gibbs was racing him so aggressively when Gibbs is not contending for the playoff title this year. Hamlin had hoped for more cooperation from his teammate, expecting that Gibbs would focus on supporting team goals and boosting the championship hopes of a Joe Gibbs Racing member still in playoff contention.
Significance of the Incident and What Might Come Next
This clash between Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs throws a spotlight on the pressures of playoff racing, the complexity of team strategies, and the emotional stakes for drivers competing under the Joe Gibbs Racing banner. As both drivers look ahead, the team will need to manage intra-team relations and refocus on collective goals to avoid similar incidents that could jeopardize championship chances. With the playoff hunt intensifying, there will be close scrutiny on how Hamlin, Gibbs, and their Joe Gibbs Racing teammates communicate and race each other in the upcoming rounds.
