Controversy erupted once again in the NASCAR world as the Denny Hamlin Ty Gibbs feud intensified after a string of on- and off-track clashes involving their Joe Gibbs Racing team. Tensions, flaring during the recent Cup Series events, have fueled both fan and industry criticism, raising questions about team unity and championship ambitions as the playoffs heat up.
Tensions Boil Over at Joe Gibbs Racing
Ty Gibbs, piloting the No. 54 Toyota in his third NASCAR Cup Series season, has carried high expectations after championship-winning runs in the ARCA Menards and Xfinity Series, yet his time at the Cup level has stalled. During the Watkins Glen event in August, his frustration with the team’s strategy came into sharp focus when he openly challenged crew chief Chris Gabehart, a key figure behind Denny Hamlin’s 22 Cup wins. Gibbs was caught on radio declaring,
“We’re f—– right now, so we’ve gotta do something different.”
— Ty Gibbs, Driver. This outward display of frustration toward a respected team leader reignited the perception of discord within Joe Gibbs Racing.
Just weeks later, the situation escalated further in the Mobil 1 301 when intra-team collisions and post-race silence deepened divisions. On lap 110, Gibbs refused to yield to his teammates, leading to a high-stakes encounter with Denny Hamlin, who subsequently spun Gibbs out. Despite obvious tension, Gibbs shrugged off the incident in interviews with a terse,
“Yeah, it’s unfortunate, but I’m excited to go race next week,”
— Ty Gibbs, Driver. But when Hamlin publicly questioned Gibbs’ driving decisions on his ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast, the dispute became impossible to ignore.
Reactions from the Racing Community and Industry Veterans
The altercation drew swift reactions from notable figures. Kevin Harvick, a veteran driver, dismissed Hamlin’s attempt to downplay the spin, stating,
“There’s no hiding that wasn’t intentional.”
— Kevin Harvick, Driver. He further criticized Hamlin, asserting,
“It’s a decision that shows a lot of people that you don’t really have a lot of respect [for others around you].”
— Kevin Harvick, Driver. Ty Gibbs intensified matters by sharing a video clip highlighting Harvick’s remarks and adding a finger emoji—a gesture interpreted as a pointed criticism toward Hamlin. Journalist Jeff Gluck summed it up:
“Ty Gibbs reposted this on his Instagram story with a finger emoji pointing toward the words, if you were wondering where his head was at.”
— Jeff Gluck, Reporter.
As Joe Gibbs Racing eyes its first team title in six years, with Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell leading playoff race wins, the feud threatens to undermine its momentum. Industry veterans like Jordan Bianchi from The Athletic and a broad spectrum of fans have criticized Gibbs for potentially undermining team unity at a crucial moment.
Fan Backlash and Ty Gibbs’ Contentious Reputation
Ty Gibbs’ recent actions have only reinforced a reputation that predates his Cup career. Fans vividly remember earlier run-ins, from wrecking teammates like Brandon Smith in the Xfinity Series to heated exchanges with Corey Heim and Sam Mayer in ARCA. Gibbs’ history of on-track altercations and disregard for team strategies is well documented. Frustrated observers question why team leaders or mentors have not stepped in, with one fan bluntly asking,
“No one else think’s it’s insane that an adult in this brat’s life hasn’t stepped in yet ? At some point investors, sponsors, etc are going to wonder who in the actual is running that cluster at JGR.”
— Unattributed Fan.
Gibbs’ recent Instagram activity, highlighting criticism while ignoring the team’s playoff priorities, is seen by many as a sign of immaturity. One fan summarized community sentiment:
“Him reposting it, with finger emoji pointing to words, just shows his immaturity and he hasn’t learned a thing from the whole thing. Right or wrong, keep it in house, talk it out, be ticked off, but learn and keep quiet. Ty isn’t about JGR winning a Championship”
— Unattributed Fan. Another comment reflecting on Gibbs’ youth stated,
“I miss being 22. I was never wrong about anything then either.”
— Unattributed Fan.
Questions about Gibbs’ Cup credentials persist, as fans note his lack of race wins after three full-time seasons. Some argue that he should defer to more experienced drivers:
“How many Cup wins does Ty have ? Right … get the hell out of the way … he’s lucky to have Denny as a teammate to learn from.”
— Unattributed Fan. Others, though critical of Hamlin’s retaliatory tactics, believe Gibbs’ attitude outweighs any grievances:
“He’s going to try to dump Denny while driving around 3 laps down on Sunday and trash his equipment in the process. Ty’s such a hack that he’s made me agree with Denny Hamlin.”
— Unattributed Fan.
Implications for Team Dynamics and the NASCAR Playoffs
With Joe Gibbs Racing in championship contention and tensions running high, the conflict between Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin threatens to destabilize the team’s playoff run. Industry insiders, drivers, and passionate fans agree that continued infighting could harm the title bids of Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell. As the Denny Hamlin Ty Gibbs feud develops further, all eyes will remain on the team to see if unity can be restored or if ongoing rifts will overshadow their quest for NASCAR glory.
Ty Gibbs reposted this on his Instagram story with a finger emoji pointing toward the words, if you were wondering where his head was at: https://t.co/fx7WHSQbCi
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) September 23, 2025
