After a heated on-track exchange between Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire, attention has turned to social media where Ty Gibbs used a Kevin Harvick New Hampshire podcast clip, intensifying speculation about the ongoing tension. As both drivers race for Joe Gibbs Racing, their interactions have sparked concern about how the team is managing the fallout.
Social Media Escalation Highlights Team Friction
The aftermath of the incident was made public when Ty Gibbs posted a clip from Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast on his Instagram, adding a pointed hand emoji to direct attention to subtitles in the video. The highlighted text read:
Is that the moment that derails Denny Hamlin’s 2025 championship?
This move by Gibbs signaled that the conflict from the track was far from resolved, drawing the scrutiny of NASCAR fans and colleagues alike. The tension comes after Gibbs, who drives the No. 54 car, felt wronged when Hamlin spun him out during the race after several laps of close racing. The viral post, amplified further on platforms like Twitter, placed the intra-team drama under a public microscope.
Calls for Team Management to Intervene
Following the race, team ownership’s role in diffusing the situation became a subject of debate. Joe Gibbs Racing, led by Joe Gibbs himself, initially left the matter to be settled privately between the drivers, signaling confidence in their ability to resolve issues internally. However, public voices soon urged leadership to step in, most notably from USA broadcaster Steve Letarte, who said:
I think it really comes down to the owner,
Steve Letarte, NASCAR analyst.
Letarte argued that, regardless of public opinions or those from former drivers like Jeff Burton, the pivotal decision lies with Joe Gibbs since he is ultimately responsible for team harmony and the path forward. He expanded on how, historically, owners like Rick Hendrick and Richard Childress have handled similar incidents, stressing that team stability is shaped by those who finance and assemble the driver lineup:
It’s the same for Rick Hendrick, Richard Childress, you could go up and down the owners. They’re the ones invested, they’re paying the bills, they’re the guys. They hire who drives their racecars.
Steve Letarte, NASCAR analyst.
Racing Dynamics and Driver Opinions
The intensity between the teammates came to a head during the New Hampshire race. Denny Hamlin expressed his frustration about ongoing issues with his teammates, describing the conflict as “some teammate bulls**t.” The confrontation peaked when, after running neck-and-neck, Hamlin spun Gibbs, raising questions about whether the act was deliberate or simply competitive racing that went too far.
According to Letarte, there are important strategic considerations in such situations. He proposed a scenario where, if a non-playoff driver is not in contention, he might be expected to yield to a playoff hopeful like Hamlin. Reflecting on the broader issue, Letarte provided further perspective:
I have some opinion, I think it’s important that this has been laid out (in terms of strategy),
Steve Letarte, NASCAR analyst.
He stated that owners play their most crucial role during moments of internal conflict, noting:
What I want here is I want coach, the Super Bowl championship coach, he’s called coach for a reason. This is what owners need. Everyone always asks, what’s an owner do? Well he raises money and he hires the right people, but when an owner is really tested is this moment right here. Because I agree with Jeff, this is an intersection.
Steve Letarte, NASCAR analyst.
Possible Outcomes for Joe Gibbs Racing
With Ty Gibbs highlighting the split on his Instagram using Kevin Harvick’s podcast comments, the underlying discord remains unresolved. As Denny Hamlin continues to compete for a championship, team unity becomes all the more critical. The expectation now is for team owner Joe Gibbs to step in decisively to direct his drivers towards a common goal, preventing further disruption and safeguarding their chase for the title. The outcome of this internal dispute will likely influence the squad’s chances in the remainder of the season and shape the team’s approach to future conflicts.
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— Dalton Hopkins (@PitLaneCPT) September 23, 2025
