Joe Gibbs Racing faces internal friction amid the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, as tensions between drivers Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs threaten to undermine the team’s championship aspirations. The Joe Gibbs Racing feud, emerging after a clash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, now casts doubt over the focus and unity needed for a successful championship bid.
Playoff Momentum Disrupted by Teammate Tensions
Joe Gibbs Racing entered the Round of 12 on a high note, thanks to a strong collective showing from playoff contenders Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell, who all moved past the initial playoff round. The organization’s confidence was palpable, with all three playoff drivers performing well and the team’s momentum peaking.
However, that optimism faded quickly at New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the opening race of the next playoff round. The company’s three-race winning streak ended, but the real setback came when Hamlin, still in championship contention, and Ty Gibbs, a non-playoff driver, had an on-track altercation. Their run-in added uncertainty, fueling questions about whether unresolved issues between them could disrupt the team’s chemistry and overall chances in the playoffs, especially as Hamlin continues his pursuit of a first Cup Series title and Briscoe and Bell target their own championship dreams.
A Breakdown Between Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs
The feud began midway through the race at New Hampshire, when Hamlin and Gibbs, despite being teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing, found themselves battling for track position. Frustrated by the intensity with which Gibbs—a non-title contender and the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs—raced him, Hamlin responded aggressively, culminating in an on-track incident that sent Gibbs spinning into the wall. The dramatic moment was widely circulated and led to immediate fallout between the drivers.
The family connections at Joe Gibbs Racing added complexity to the situation, with Hamlin reportedly measuring his public comments out of respect for the team hierarchy and the fact that Gibbs is the founder’s grandson. Still, Hamlin’s frustration was evident.
“I’ll let (JGR) leadership kind of quarterback it however they’d like to. But, obviously, us and the 20 (Christopher Bell) and 19 (Chase Briscoe) are all trying to win a championship for their family,”
Hamlin said after the race.
“So, it’s crazy unfortunate why we’re racing the way we are.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
The conflict spilled over onto the team radio in the heat of the moment, as Hamlin questioned,
“Does Ty know we’re going for a championship?”
leaving no doubt about his frustration. For his part, Gibbs kept his comments brief, reportedly uttering “game on” after being wrecked, signaling readiness for further confrontation rather than immediate reconciliation.
In the aftermath, Hamlin addressed the effect of Gibbs’ hard driving on the team’s championship hopes.
“This thing is hard enough to win, anyway,”
Hamlin lamented.
“But if you’re going to have to race your teammates harder than anyone on the racetrack, then this will be really, really tough for any one of us to win.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Efforts to Mend the Rift and Focus on the Playoffs
In the days following the New Hampshire incident, Joe Gibbs Racing sought to contain the dispute and keep their championship push on track. Before the next race at Kansas Speedway, Hamlin indicated that efforts to address the tension were underway, and all drivers had the chance to share their perspectives in team meetings.
“I think they are in a good place,”
Hamlin stated while at Kansas, revealing that discussions within the team had been productive.
“We had some meetings this week. And they were all productive meetings.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
When pressed for specifics about those meetings, Hamlin declined to elaborate in detail.
“The guts of that are going to be confidential,”
he said. — Denny Hamlin, Driver
Still, progress was reportedly made in establishing guidelines for intra-team competition.
“All the drivers had an opportunity to speak and try to come up with a plan,”
Hamlin noted.
“We did our best to come up with one.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin, reflecting on his actions during the incident, expressed regret for letting emotions dictate his response in New Hampshire:
“I definitely got hot under the collar. And it went too far on my end. There was things I wish I could have done a little bit differently.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Implications for Joe Gibbs Racing’s Championship Pursuit
With the team’s playoff journey entering a critical phase, the Joe Gibbs Racing feud between Hamlin and Gibbs poses risks beyond short-term race results. As both Hamlin and teammates Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell seek their first championship titles for Joe Gibbs Racing, the need for unity and support among drivers becomes paramount. The challenge for leadership, including owner Joe Gibbs and the rest of the organization, is to ensure the team’s internal relationships do not become a liability at this crucial stage.
Kansas Speedway now becomes the next test, both on the track and within the team, as Joe Gibbs Racing aims to reclaim its dominance. The outcome of the ongoing efforts to repair trust and maintain focus will likely determine if the organization can capitalize on its earlier momentum and remain strong contenders for the NASCAR Cup Series championship.
The Nos. 11 and 54 get together! @TyGibbs spins and backs it into the wall. pic.twitter.com/Qp9oVyufFF
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 21, 2025
#NASCAR … I asked Denny Hamlin what is the conversation that needs to take place after the incident with Ty Gibbs. This is what Hamlin said … pic.twitter.com/zxAIElss1m
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) September 21, 2025
Denny Hamlin wouldn't go into details on the JGR driver meeting with JGR leadership Wednesday. He did say he got too hot under the collar during the race at New Hampshire. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/K2yfmts7uG
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 27, 2025
