The Denny Hamlin Ty Gibbs feud within Joe Gibbs Racing came to a head at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, raising doubts about the team’s championship chances. Brad Keselowski has offered his perspective, emphasizing how the conflict could disrupt JGR’s playoff run after several seasons without a title.
Tension Escalates Between Hamlin and Gibbs at New Hampshire
Joe Gibbs Racing has consistently been one of the leading teams in this year’s NASCAR playoffs, bolstered by solid performances from drivers such as Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell. All three secured spots in the round of 12 after strong finishes in the earlier playoff rounds. However, as the series moved to New Hampshire, internal conflicts between Hamlin and Ty Gibbs surfaced on track, deeply concerning fans and the organization alike.
During the opening laps of stage two, Ty Gibbs raced Denny Hamlin aggressively for position, even though neither was fighting for a top-ten spot. Despite Hamlin being a playoff contender and Gibbs not having a shot at the title, Gibbs didn’t yield. Tempers flared when Hamlin, driving the #11 car, ultimately tapped Gibbs’ car, causing Gibbs to crash backward into the outside wall. This incident quickly divided opinions in the NASCAR community, sparking debate over where loyalties should lie in a team with championship aspirations.
Brad Keselowski’s Perspective on the Feud
Brad Keselowski, both a veteran driver and a team owner at RFK Racing, was directly behind the pair during the ordeal and recently shared his candid view on the Stacking Pennies podcast. Keselowski did not hold back in his assessment:
“I was right behind this when it happened. Okay. First off, I was super surprised that the 54 was racing the 11 as hard as he was. Well, clearly the 11 car is faster. I don’t know how the 54 got in front of the 11, but it was pretty clear the 11 car was faster and he gave him a chop. I think the lap before this and I think that really set Denny off. Yeah, personally that’s kind of what I see and I could kind of understand that.”
— Brad Keselowski, Team Owner/Driver
Keselowski went on to acknowledge the mounting pressure on Hamlin as a playoff contender, noting that Christopher Bell, another JGR driver fighting for the championship, was directly behind Hamlin during the incident. According to Keselowski, he could empathize with Hamlin’s frustration:
“I can understand Denny’s frustration. I think he was a little faster than the 54. He’s got a lot on the line. Like, dude, what are we doing here? He had Christopher Bell, I think, right behind him, which was his other teammate. You need the stage points. We were just talking about that. Like there’s a lot going on here,”
Keselowski added. — Brad Keselowski, Team Owner/Driver
Support for Hamlin Within the NASCAR Community
The incident did not go unnoticed by other NASCAR veterans. Dale Earnhardt Jr. publicly voiced his support for Hamlin, reiterating the importance of team collaboration during the playoffs where every point matters. Earnhardt commented:
“You’re our teammate, like you’ll totally let him go. If I’m racing my teammate and he’s in the playoffs and I’m not, like, I’m not even thinking about him in the car; I’m letting him go.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., Veteran Driver
This type of backing highlights the unspoken code among seasoned drivers that when a teammate is in championship contention, those not in the hunt should step aside rather than create unnecessary risks for the team’s broader objectives.
Implications and What’s Next for Joe Gibbs Racing
After being knocked out of the race, Ty Gibbs signaled that the feud might not be over, remarking, “Game on.” This statement suggests he may seek retribution in upcoming races, which casts a shadow over Joe Gibbs Racing’s otherwise promising playoff campaign. With internal friction intensifying, the team faces an uphill battle to keep focus in pursuit of the championship amid mounting pressures and divided loyalties.
The Denny Hamlin Ty Gibbs feud carries significant weight as the playoffs continue. Not only does it threaten team harmony and strategy at a crucial juncture, but it also puts Joe Gibbs Racing’s five-season title drought under even greater scrutiny. How the organization and its drivers respond to this challenge in the coming races will likely determine whether their championship ambitions remain within reach or unravel due to internal conflict.
