Denny Hamlin’s racing etiquette, now a point of discussion following his criticism of Ty Gibbs’ actions at the recent NASCAR Cup Series race in New Hampshire, was once scrutinized in similar fashion. Over eighteen years ago, Hamlin found himself in Gibbs’ current shoes, when Tony Stewart publicly took issue with Hamlin’s on-track behavior at Daytona International Speedway during the 2007 Pepsi 400.
The incident unfolded just fourteen laps into the 400-mile event. Hamlin and Stewart, running at the front of the pack, were involved in a heated moment that led to Stewart’s frustration with Hamlin’s racecraft. Stewart accused Hamlin of abruptly slowing on the exit of turn four, compromising the safety of the entire field.
“All of a sudden, he just stops on the exit of turn four in front of 42 cars, and he can’t expect all of us to drive around him,”
Stewart said per Autosport.
“He just wrecked two really good race cars. He tried to wreck us in practice on Friday and didn’t get it done. At least he finished it off today.”
– Tony Stewart, Driver
“He’s a young guy and he wants to be successful, but I don’t know if he knows what the definition of ‘team’ is right now.”
– Tony Stewart, Driver
Conflict and Resolution Between Teammates
The tension between Stewart and Hamlin threatened to escalate, but the two drivers eventually managed to address their differences without requiring Joe Gibbs, team owner, to mediate the dispute. Both drivers emphasized their professionalism and ability to move beyond the incident, remaining focused on their racing goals.
“Denny and I can handle anything that happens on the racetrack with each other,”
Stewart continued.
“We’re both professional drivers and can handle it. Everybody is good, and we’re all focused on doing what we all do every week. We’re over that hurdle.”
– Tony Stewart, Driver
Stewart later acknowledged that he had let his emotions dictate his public comments, recognizing a tendency to speak without considering the consequences.
“Something happens, you get right out of the car, and a camera is right in your face. You get that pure emotion. I’m the first one to open my mouth before I think about what I’m saying. I’m the king of doing that, as far as saying stuff that I wish I wouldn’t have said.”
– Tony Stewart, Driver
Hamlin’s Reflections on a Costly Lesson
Days following the heated encounter at Daytona International Speedway, Denny Hamlin had time to reflect on his actions. Recognizing the broader impact of his decisions, especially when teammates are involved, Hamlin admitted fault and expressed regret for the consequences endured by the team and its members, including those at the Joe Gibbs Racing shops.
“(It’s) tough to go out at all, but with a teammate it’s worse because it affects everyone at JGR, and I hate it for the teams and guys at the shop.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
“Doesn’t really matter how or why it happened, and there is no use pointing fingers. It’s behind us now, we’ll get back to doing what this team does best, run consistently each weekend.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
A Pattern Repeats With Ty Gibbs at Loudon
The recent NASCAR Cup race at Loudon reignited these memories as fans and observers compared Ty Gibbs’ actions—stubbornly refusing to let Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell pass while all vied for the championship—to Hamlin’s earlier controversy with Stewart. Hamlin, after enduring Gibbs’ moves on track, ultimately made contact that sent Gibbs into the wall, ending his race.
This echo from the past led many to note the cyclical nature of racing tensions, especially involving younger drivers eager to prove themselves. The Joe Gibbs Racing team found itself at the center of intra-team friction yet again, bringing additional scrutiny on Denny Hamlin’s standards in racing etiquette.
Lessons from the Past Informing Today’s NASCAR Dynamics
Comparing the two incidents highlights evolving standards of sportsmanship and teamwork at the NASCAR Cup level. Many in the garage and fanbase hope that Ty Gibbs, much like Hamlin before him, absorbs the necessary lessons about cooperation, respect, and collective responsibility within high-stakes teams. While the specifics may differ between Daytona and Loudon, the underlying theme is constant—young, ambitious drivers confronting the challenges of racing etiquette while balancing personal goals and team unity.
Steven Taranto and other observers have pointed out that Hamlin’s criticisms of Ty Gibbs mirror the experiences Hamlin faced as a newcomer, suggesting that mentorship and accountability remain critical in NASCAR’s competitive environment. The spotlight on Denny Hamlin racing etiquette, set against the backdrop of past and present controversies, continues to shape conversations among drivers, teams, and fans as the championship unfolds.
Not equating these two incidents and saying they're the same at all, BUT the Denny Hamlin/Ty Gibbs spat is interesting in that Hamlin was once on the other end of it with Tony Stewart at Daytona in 2007.
Said Stewart on his old radio spot:
"He's a young guy and he wants to be… pic.twitter.com/Gcmf7GffHo— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) September 23, 2025
