Denny Hamlin NASCAR teammate drama reached a boiling point this week as questions loomed over the future working dynamic between Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, following their controversial run-in at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Attention shifted to Kansas Speedway, where speculation grew regarding whether unresolved tension would spark further issues or if harmony would be restored under the watchful eye of team owner Joe Gibbs.
The incident at New Hampshire set off a wave of reactions, with visible frustration from Hamlin during the race. Video clips circulated showing his clear irritation, adding fuel to discussions across the NASCAR community. Social media posts from Ty Gibbs also intensified the situation, as he openly agreed with former driver Kevin Harvick‘s assertion that Hamlin had spun him intentionally. This online agreement highlighted the depth of the grievance and suggested that hard feelings lingered into the following week.
Leadership Steps In to Address NASCAR Teammate Friction
After initially suggesting that Hamlin and Gibbs settle their dispute independently, Joe Gibbs Racing management intervened and arranged a team meeting on Monday, September 22. Although Ty Gibbs avoided the press at Kansas Speedway the subsequent Saturday, his teammates—Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Briscoe—provided insight into the outcome: the internal issues had been openly discussed and largely resolved.
Coach Gibbs, known for his decades of leadership, emphasized the necessity of unity and began steering his team toward refocusing on the championship. According to Hamlin, all the drivers participated in the meeting and committed to devising an improved collaborative strategy.
Yeah, all the drivers had an opportunity to speak and to try and come up with a plan, and I think we did our best to to come up with one,
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin acknowledged his own role in escalating tensions, stating:
… I definitely got hot under the collar (on track). It went too far on my end, and certainly there’s things that I wish I could have done a little differently.
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Drivers Reflect on Team Meeting and Changes Ahead
Christopher Bell echoed Hamlin’s sentiments, affirming the production value of the team discussion, although he was reluctant to reveal specifics.
Yeah, I mean, I thought that (meeting) was productive, and hopefully we do better moving forward,
— Christopher Bell, Driver
Bell later commented more candidly, acknowledging that tensions at New Hampshire had crossed a boundary.
I think it’s definitely fair to say that a line was crossed (in New Hampshire), and that was bad,
— Christopher Bell, Driver
We don’t need to get any teammates wrecked. Hopefully we do better moving forward. And yeah, I think that that’s the goal: for us to race each other better moving forward.
— Christopher Bell, Driver
Closing his thoughts on the meeting, Bell said:
We had a productive meeting, and I feel optimistic about changes moving forward.
— Christopher Bell, Driver
Chase Briscoe Offers Perspective on Team and Leadership
Chase Briscoe provided additional insight, first joking about the meeting but then confirming the constructive intent behind it. He stressed the importance of making teamwork easier moving forward for everyone involved.
I certainly think that things will be different going forward for us, just the teammate side of things, just trying to make it easier for all of us, right?
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
So I definitely think that. It’s unfortunate that stuff has to happen, but typically when you have to have tough conversations, things are normally for the better going forward.
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
Briscoe also highlighted the value of smarter teamwork by contrasting their approach to another organization’s.
I think just us being smarter; you look at Penske, right?
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
He explained further that lessons learned from the meeting should help the team support each other more effectively and increase their championship chances, giving credit to Joe Gibbs for his leadership.
Coach Joe Gibbs’ Influence Steadies the Team
Briscoe discussed the impact that Joe Gibbs’ leadership had during these tense times, expressing genuine admiration for Coach Gibbs and his ability to guide the team through challenges.
It was certainly my first time where I’ve really ever been in that situation where it’s not a debrief meeting or something with Coach, and I was just mind blown (at) how good he is at just being a coach and just a leader,
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
It makes sense why he’s been successful on the race side of things, but even the coaching side, he’s just so good at it.
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
The resolution of the Denny Hamlin NASCAR teammate drama appears to be guided firmly by Gibbs’ philosophy of teamwork and mutual support among his drivers. While Ty Gibbs himself has not yet addressed the public directly regarding this latest chapter, the unified front presented by Hamlin, Bell, and Briscoe underlines the desire to put team goals before individual conflict, recognizing the difficulty of pursuing a championship alone.
As the Kansas Speedway race approaches, all eyes will be on the on-track behavior of Hamlin and Ty Gibbs. The team’s authority has placed the expectation on cooperation to bolster Joe Gibbs Racing’s title aspirations. Their ability to work harmoniously—or not—will be evident in the races ahead, with the championship hopes for the team potentially hinging on their ability to race as supportive teammates and avoid renewed friction on the track.
TENSIONS. ARE. HIGH. 👀
Denny Hamlin voices some frustration while battling with teammate Ty Gibbs. #NASCARPlayoffs
📺: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/epxts7yuDJ
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 21, 2025
Ty Gibbs on the incident with Denny Hamlin 👀 https://t.co/WhTNTz1h3H pic.twitter.com/sIsY7Hkan9
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 21, 2025
Based on Ty Gibbs' Instagram, he agrees with Kevin Harvick saying that Denny Hamlin spun him intentionally. pic.twitter.com/h2Js2G3euT
— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) September 23, 2025
#NASCAR … Here is what team owner Joe Gibbs says will happen next with Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin after today … pic.twitter.com/1xIfLx9Cum
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) September 21, 2025
.@TyGibbs saw several reporters waiting for him after qualifying. He quickly walked to the other end of pit road and hopped on a golf cart and drove away as @bobpockrass (who speed-walked faster than the rest of us) tried asking a question. Guess that’s a no comment (he could…
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) September 27, 2025
