Denny Hamlin's #11 car serviced by the pit crew during a night race. [Image Source: DAILYDOWNFORCE]
Denny Hamlin has publicly called upon Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) leadership to clearly define team expectations as the playoffs progress, seeking clarity on how teammates should compete. The discussion about Denny Hamlin team expectations comes at a crucial stage in the NASCAR Cup Series, with tensions high among JGR drivers after recent on-track incidents.
Hamlin Calls for Direction from Leadership
During a recent episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, released on Dirty Mo Media, Hamlin addressed growing concerns around intra-team competition at JGR. Following contentious on-track moments between himself and teammate Ty Gibbs, Hamlin emphasized the need for a unified approach. He said,
“What I want to happen is leadership (to) step in and tell us, what do you want us to do?”
— Hamlin, driver
Hamlin argued that without clear guidance, teammates might feel compelled to race each other with abandon, potentially undermining their collective success. He explained,
“If you want us all to just race each other cut-throat, no matter what your position is in the stature of the standings, we can definitely do that. Like I expect myself and the 19 (Briscoe) and the 20 (Bell) to race really, really hard because we’re all battling each other to get above this cutline or maintain our status above the cutline. If I get eliminated or the 19 gets eliminated or the 20 gets eliminated, and then we’ve established this ‘no rules — you guys just do whatever you wanna do,’ none of us are going to win.”
— Hamlin, driver
Hamlin noted that, in previous seasons, owner Joe Gibbs has intervened to set standards among the team for respectful and strategic competition on the track.
Recent Incidents Increase Pressure
The topic gained urgency after Hamlin’s recent contact with Ty Gibbs during a race, an incident Hamlin described as a mistake. Despite this, Hamlin questioned Gibbs’ aggressive driving style, especially since he, Christopher Bell, and Chase Briscoe are all fighting for a championship for the Gibbs family. Hamlin pointed out,
Image of: Denny Hamlin
“are all trying to win a championship for (the Gibbs) family.”
— Hamlin, driver
Ty Gibbs remains the only JGR driver who did not qualify for the Cup playoffs in the current season. Now in his third full-time Cup season, the young driver, 22, responded to inquiries about the incident by expressing focus on the upcoming race, offering no additional comments on the altercation with Hamlin.
JGR Owner’s Perspective on Team Dynamics
Team owner Joe Gibbs, both a Hall of Fame NFL coach and successful NASCAR car owner, is familiar with managing team disputes. When asked about the situation, Gibbs suggested that drivers themselves are best positioned to resolve their differences, saying,
“Those guys are the ones driving the cars, so … those guys will get together on their own and figure it out.”
— Joe Gibbs, team owner
Possible Outcomes as Playoffs Continue
As JGR navigates internal challenges during the playoffs, the push from Denny Hamlin for clarified team rules could shape the team’s approach to teamwork and sportsmanship. The response from leadership, especially Joe Gibbs, may ultimately determine how drivers like Hamlin, Briscoe, and Bell balance individual ambitions with the team’s overall championship goals, influencing both the internal culture and their performance as the season progresses.
