Joe Gibbs Racing at Talladega remains a powerful presence as the team heads into one of the most pivotal races of the season at Talladega Superspeedway, where its drivers and crew hope to build on a season marked by intense competition and historic wins. With key figures like Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs at the forefront, the organization is set on extending its record of success and pursuing another win at this storied Alabama track.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Track Record at Talladega Superspeedway
Joe Gibbs Racing holds a rich history at Talladega Superspeedway within the NASCAR Cup Series, having accumulated five victories at the venue. Across 183 combined starts at Talladega, the team has achieved 43 top-five finishes and 66 top-10 results, showing a consistent performance on this high-speed oval. Legendary drivers such as Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Bobby Labonte, and Tony Stewart have all secured wins for the organization at this track, further solidifying JGR’s reputation.
JGR’s ability to capture pole awards, lead significant lap totals, and earn top-ten positions underlines their continued competitiveness at one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable circuits. Over the years, the team’s strategic expertise and depth of talent have shone through, turning Talladega into fertile ground for their ambitions.
A Landmark 2025 Season for Joe Gibbs Racing
The current NASCAR Cup Series season stands as one of Joe Gibbs Racing’s best, with the team recording 12 victories in 2025 so far. This feat represents JGR’s highest single-season total since the organization’s record-breaking 19-win year in 2019. Since NASCAR’s move to the Next Gen racecar in 2022, no other team has managed such a level of dominance, underscoring JGR’s ability to adapt and excel in changing circumstances.
The relentless pace and high performance of JGR drivers have set a new benchmark for excellence within the Cup Series this year, creating momentum as they pursue further playoff and championship success.
Historic Weekend Sweeps Highlight Team Dominance
The organization recently celebrated its 60th all-time weekend sweep following victories by Denny Hamlin and Aric Almirola in the Cup and Xfinity Series races, respectively, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This achievement marks the fourth sweep for the squad this season, having previously clinched both Cup and Xfinity wins at Phoenix Raceway (with Christopher Bell and Aric Almirola), Darlington Raceway (Denny Hamlin and Brandon Jones), and Bristol Motor Speedway (Bell and Almirola). The Las Vegas sweep was particularly notable as it marked JGR’s first-ever at that venue.
These weekend sweeps not only reflect the breadth of talent within Joe Gibbs Racing but also signal the organization’s capacity to execute across multiple racing formats and venues, bolstering its profile at every level of stock car competition.
Outstanding Average Finishes Among JGR Drivers
This season, JGR drivers have demonstrated remarkable consistency. Among full-time Cup Series participants, Christopher Bell boasts the best average finishing position at 11.4 over 33 races, while teammate Denny Hamlin holds the fourth-best at 13.3. Chase Briscoe, although competing in his first JGR season, is presently ranked second amongst all drivers with a 12.1 average. These numbers underline the racing prowess and tactical execution of JGR’s driver roster.
The organization’s sustained performance through statistically challenging and lengthy seasons is a testament to both driver skill and the coordinated efforts of their crews and engineers.
Denny Hamlin’s Pursuit of Success at Talladega
Piloting the No. 11 National Debt Relief Toyota Camry XSE, Denny Hamlin adds another layer of experience and ambition to Joe Gibbs Racing at Talladega. Fresh off his 60th NASCAR Cup Series career win at Las Vegas, Hamlin has now tied Kevin Harvick for 10th on the all-time wins list. That Las Vegas victory was his sixth of the current season, an achievement he’s accomplished for the fourth time in his career, and further cemented his position in the Championship 4.
Hamlin’s history at Talladega is notable with two victories (2014 and 2020) and a remarkable run of nine consecutive playoff top-ten finishes at the superspeedway since 2016. Although earlier in the current campaign he finished 21st at the 2.66-mile circuit, his overall record and relentless drive keep him as a serious contender in every Talladega race. In addition to wins, Hamlin’s résumé now includes 47 career pole awards—ranking him 11th all-time—and 375 top-10 results, good for ninth-highest in series history alongside Jimmie Johnson.
This season also represents Hamlin’s record-setting 19th playoff appearance in his NASCAR Cup Series career. Only missing out in 2013 due to injury, Hamlin has routinely finished among the best, making it to the semi-final stage ten times since 2014’s elimination format debut and earning five Championship 4 berths.
This weekend, National Debt Relief is featured as the primary sponsor on Hamlin’s car. The organization has helped over 550,000 people since 2009, focusing on empowering clients to resolve debt and manage finances confidently. Their continued support underscores the synergy between elite racing teams and industry leaders.
Chase Briscoe’s Climb Up the Playoff Ladder
Chase Briscoe, driving the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE, continues to bring energy and momentum to Joe Gibbs Racing at Talladega. Briscoe has participated in 14 Talladega events across NASCAR’s top three national series. In his nine Cup Series appearances, his best finish is a fourth place, earned in April 2023. Earlier this year, he finished 15th at the superspeedway.
His performance last week at Las Vegas saw Briscoe qualify second, seize the lead at the start, and dominate the early stages by leading the opening 35 laps. A bold two-tire pit strategy temporarily moved him back to the front with 25 laps to go, and Briscoe ultimately secured a fourth-place finish after a spirited battle with Hamlin and Kyle Larson. He also claimed his first Xfinity fastest lap bonus point of the year in that race, illustrating his competitive growth.
Advancing in the 2025 NASCAR Playoffs, Briscoe enters Talladega positioned fourth in the playoff standings, holding a 15-point buffer above the cutline. With a series-leading 281 playoff points and a 6.3-average finish during the playoffs, he has truly raised his game when it matters most. Across the entire season, Briscoe has set personal bests—14 top-fives (tied best for the year), 18 top-tens (third overall), and seven pole awards, while also reporting his highest average starting and finishing positions to date. His 865 laps led this year exceed the cumulative total from all his previous Cup seasons.
Briscoe’s success has been aided by the strategic guidance of crew chief James Small, who is in his sixth season leading race-day operations. Small originally steered Martin Truex Jr. before joining forces with Briscoe and has presided over significant accomplishments, including 10 career wins and regular championship contention. Briscoe’s efforts are also supported by Bass Pro Shops, which has earned recognition as
America’s Most Trusted Retailer for Outdoor Gear
— Newsweek
Christopher Bell’s Consistent Run Shaping the Playoff Race
Christopher Bell, at the wheel of the No. 20 DEWALT Toyota Camry XSE, prepares for his 12th NASCAR Cup Series Talladega start this weekend. Earlier in the season, Bell was contending for the lead before an accident ended his race on lap 52. His Talladega history includes one top-five and three top-ten finishes. Beyond Cup, Bell has a strong résumé in NASCAR Xfinity and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series competition at this track, highlighted by a third-place Xfinity finish and a pole award in Trucks.
Bell’s recent performance carries confidence: he qualified and finished third at Las Vegas, extending a streak of six straight top-10s and marking his third consecutive third-place finish. Sitting third in the current playoff standings with a 20-point advantage over the elimination line, Bell’s consistent results have been vital for his championship aspirations. Talladega’s wildcard nature makes it a critical juncture, with the playoff round concluding at Martinsville Speedway, a site where Bell previously won under pressure in 2022 and scored second place after earning the pole earlier this year.
This weekend, the No. 20 car spotlights sponsors BL Harbert International on the hood—known for design-build and construction management globally—and Hunt Electric on the decklid, a major electrical services firm based in Minnesota.
Ty Gibbs Targets Breakthrough at Talladega
Ty Gibbs, competing in his first Cup Series season with the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE, has made six Talladega starts so far, notching a personal best of 13th place last October. Earlier this season, Gibbs showed front-running pace by leading 32 laps during the crucial final stage before ending up 17th. Regularly starting inside the top 15, Gibbs showcased qualifying speed with a third-place effort in April 2023. His best Talladega Xfinity Series finish is seventh, achieved during the 2022 postseason.
Last week at Las Vegas, Gibbs started 10th and consistently ran inside the top 10 before being caught in a late-race crash, which resulted in a 34th-place finish. As he continues to build experience and resilience in the top tier, he benefits from the guidance of first-time Cup Series crew chief Tyler Allen, who had led JGR’s No. 20 Xfinity Series team to eight wins and a runner-up owners’ championship finish in 2024.
What Sets Joe Gibbs Racing Apart in 2025
Throughout this season, Joe Gibbs Racing has capitalized on a blend of driver expertise, strategic acumen, and technical prowess. Key figures like Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Briscoe have lifted the team to new heights, while Ty Gibbs represents the next wave of potential. Crew chiefs such as James Small and Tyler Allen bring a strategic layer to the team’s mechanics, while critical sponsors like National Debt Relief, Bass Pro Shops, and DEWALT fortify the operation both on and off the track.
The team’s ability to produce weekend sweeps, maintain top-three average finishes among drivers, and consistently adapt to the evolving Cup Series landscape sets them apart. Their efforts, whether at Talladega, Las Vegas, or any stop on the calendar, resonate throughout the paddock and among fans, affirming JGR’s place at the leading edge of NASCAR excellence.
The Road Ahead for Joe Gibbs Racing at Talladega
As the drivers line up for the next pivotal race, Joe Gibbs Racing at Talladega stands poised to further its legacy, backed by a season full of achievements and a dedicated lineup of championship-caliber drivers. The team’s remarkable consistency, historic accomplishments, and intense playoff campaigns contribute not only to their ongoing success but also to the excitement and unpredictability that define NASCAR. With each driver fighting for precious points and vital track position, the eyes of the motorsports world remain fixed on JGR and their quest for another trip to victory lane at the superspeedway. The outcome at Talladega may well shape the trajectory of this year’s playoffs—and the ever-evolving legacy of Joe Gibbs Racing.
