Denny Hamlin’s recent crew chief transition at Joe Gibbs Racing has set off a series of wins, positioning him as a serious contender heading into the championship race at Phoenix Raceway later this month. The decision to install Chris Gayle as Hamlin’s new crew chief has proven pivotal, marking the start of this winning streak and illustrating the impact of leadership changes within high-level motorsports.
A Shift in Leadership on the No. 11 Team
The Denny Hamlin crew chief change came about when Chris Gabehart, Hamlin’s former crew chief, was promoted to competition director at Joe Gibbs Racing. This move sparked a domino effect within the team’s structure, eventually leading to Chris Gayle stepping into the crew chief role for the No. 11 car. Initially, there was uncertainty about bringing in Gayle, who had found previous success in the Xfinity Series but had only secured two wins in almost 200 Cup Series starts with the organization.
Reflecting on the shift, Hamlin explained that the window to make this call was remarkably brief, as Chris Gayle was also being courted by other Cup teams.
At the time, I mean, Joe gave me essentially 24 hours to say yes or no to it, because Chris had another opportunity with another team in Cup,
said Hamlin after his milestone 60th Cup victory in Las Vegas.
That was his option. He had an offer. He didn’t want to get drug around.
Hamlin wrestled with doubts, given his stage in his career and the importance of team chemistry, especially under such high-pressure circumstances. He admitted,
Chris Gayle’s résumé was not mind-blowing by any stretch of the imagination. He also had a lot of young guys that he had to work with.
Hamlin’s concerns grew from the uncertainty of success with a new leader, especially after strong runs with previous crew chief Chris Gabehart.
Adjusting to a New Partnership
Gayle had gained experience working with both Erik Jones and Ty Gibbs prior to joining forces with Hamlin. Despite being thrown into an unfamiliar scenario, Hamlin chose to trust long-standing team owner Joe Gibbs, expressing confidence in Gibbs’ track record for decisive, smart personnel moves within the organization. Hamlin recalled his discomfort at first, explaining,
I was worried. When I had those interviews that I talked about him and my apprehension, one of the first conversations I had with him, ‘I don’t want you to take that personally, but this caught me off guard. I didn’t know I was going to be in this position just a week ago.’
Joe Gibbs himself acknowledged that the period of adjustment was challenging for everyone involved, saying,
That was kind of a tough time there,
and recognizing the dedication by adding,
Denny worked through it with us. Chris did, too. Chris had opportunities there, and he chose to stay with us. We really appreciate that.
Rapid adaptation by all parties has delivered impressive results, with Hamlin and Gayle already securing six race victories together since their partnership began.
Seamless Transition Fuels Success
The integration was made easier by keeping the existing team around Hamlin, allowing Gayle to blend his approach with established processes and only selectively introducing strategies from his previous work with the No. 54 team. The transition proved to be nearly flawless, as Hamlin expressed his appreciation for Gayle’s direction and willingness to push him to perform at his best.
He pushes me as hard as Gabehart did. I made it very, very clear to him that regardless of my accolades or his, he is the leader, and I will respect whatever he tells me to do.
Hamlin also highlighted the necessity for the driver to put complete trust in the crew chief, stating,
I wanted to make it very clear to him that he has my respect, he has my confidence, and do what you see is fit,
making it clear that honest feedback and authority were expected regardless of past success. He further emphasized,
I can confidently say that Gibbs made the right decision in choosing him, giving him the opportunity with me. I think it’s a very good mix of our thoughts. That’s why I think we’ve gotten better as a team, as a whole, is it’s sometimes a fresh, new perspective and ideas can teach you something. I think he has.
Focused on the Final Prize
Looking ahead, Hamlin and Gayle have a unique opportunity to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming championship race, a moment that has eluded Hamlin in previous years, stretching back to the days of the Cup’s Chase for the Championship format. Gayle mentioned his straightforward approach to the coming challenge:
We’re going to do everything we can, leave it there in Phoenix. Whatever happens, happens. Then we’re going to do everything on the frontside to get ready. I don’t know that I have the magic formula related to that, other than bring the fastest car I can, which is how I’ve approached all year.
He also pointed out that the team has focused on race wins throughout the season, rather than excessively discussing the championship, consistent with NASCAR’s current playoff system and the importance of regular victories.
Gayle summed up the mindset for the remaining weeks by saying,
Obviously you elevate your mind and what you think you can accomplish as you go further along into the year,
making it clear the team’s confidence has grown from their ongoing success. As the championship race in Phoenix approaches, his plan remains simple but effective:
I don’t think it’s going to change what we do. We’re going to take it a week at a time and a few weeks ahead on Phoenix, and that’s about it.
The Implications of a Game-Changing Decision
The Denny Hamlin crew chief change has clearly sparked a surge in performance for the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 team, with notable wins secured under the new pairing. The positive partnership between Hamlin, Gayle, and owner Joe Gibbs has set high expectations, not just for a championship but for the standard it establishes across the sport. Now, as Hamlin has extra time to prepare and reflect, the significance of this successful transition offers momentum—and perhaps a psychological edge—entering the most decisive race of the season at Phoenix Raceway.
