Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), long synonymous with winning, is now poised to recapture NASCAR’s highest honor after a transformative year filled with strategic changes and personnel shifts. Arriving at the Phoenix Raceway for the NASCAR Cup Series finale, JGR stands ready to compete for the championship, thanks to significant decisions and a drive to reclaim prominence after a disappointing finish last season.
From Winless Stretch to Dominant Season
One year ago, Joe Gibbs Racing confronted an unusual predicament: the team endured an 18-race winless streak that not only shook its confidence but also resulted in missing the Championship 4 for the first time in its history. Determined to reverse its fortunes, JGR responded with a renewed approach and managed a dramatic turnaround, amassing 13 victories in the current Cup season, including five crucial playoff wins. Now, the team’s drivers, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe, will compete for the coveted Cup title against Hendrick Motorsports contenders Kyle Larson and William Byron in Phoenix, demonstrating the fruits of their recalibrated strategy.
Bold Offseason Choices Set the Path for Renewal
The success Joe Gibbs Racing has achieved this season can be traced back to pivotal choices made after last year’s struggles. Recognizing the need to stay ahead of the competition, team owner Joe Gibbs re-evaluated his organization’s structure. In addressing how sports organizations must adapt, Gibbs noted,
“What I’ve learned — I said the same thing in the NFL — I think pro sports, they change at a rate of about 30% a year, (and) if you’re sitting still, you’re falling behind,”
Joe Gibbs, Team Owner.
Gibbs and his leadership team determined that internal changes were essential. As Gibbs put it,
“You got to be on the forefront of what’s taking place. So, we kind of felt like some changes were needed for us.”
Joe Gibbs, Team Owner.
These strategic moves included shifting Chris Gabehart, a successful crew chief, to the role of director of competition. This reorganization meant that Hamlin, one of the sport’s premier drivers, needed a new crew chief partnership, a critical adjustment for the team heading into a vital season.
Crew Chief Changes Bring Uncertainty and Opportunity
The transition saw Chris Gayle, previously Ty Gibbs’ crew chief, tapped as Hamlin’s new crew chief. The urgency around this decision was pronounced, as other teams also expressed interest in Gayle, creating a tight window for making the collaboration happen. Hamlin, initially uncertain about the move, recalled his concerns regarding the change in leadership and the importance of maintaining momentum in the twilight of his racing career. As Hamlin reflected,
“So I just told Joe essentially, ‘Do whatever you think is best. I trusted you in the past when we’ve made these kind of decisions. I’ll trust you again.’”
Denny Hamlin, Driver.
For a driver with as much experience and as many accomplishments as Hamlin, adapting to a new crew chief represented a substantial risk, especially as he sought to maximize his remaining years in Cup competition. Gayle, despite a strong record in the Xfinity Series, had less exposure to veteran drivers at NASCAR’s top level, prompting justified concerns about chemistry and performance.
Forging a New Bond for Victory
Chris Gayle, newly installed as Hamlin’s crew chief, acknowledged he was not fazed by the doubts expressed about their partnership. He explained his approach to communication with Hamlin, saying,
“I guess because I just don’t worry about that, I don’t watch Denny’s podcast. I don’t know if he’s said anything good about me or bad about me and it’s not because I don’t want to watch his podcast. I just figure if he’s got a problem with me — we’ve had issues — he’ll come talk to me face to face and we’ll have that conversation face to face.”
Chris Gayle, Crew Chief.
The new dynamic produced results quickly. It only took seven races for the duo to secure a win at Martinsville, and they followed up with another victory at Darlington. Their partnership blossomed, culminating in a season boasting six victories—a testament to the rapid rapport and trust they established. Hamlin praised Gayle’s leadership and their collaborative process, noting,
“I can confidently say that Gibbs made the right decision in choosing him, giving him the opportunity with me. I think it’s been a very good mix of kind 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.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver.
Wider Team Changes Foster Fresh Success
The impact of these leadership changes extended throughout Joe Gibbs Racing, with Ty Gibbs also paired with a new crew chief, and the arrival of Chase Briscoe adding further complexity. Briscoe was partnered with James Small, requiring three of the four JGR teams to adapt to new driver-crew chief relationships ahead of a pivotal season.
James Small described the adjustment process between himself and Briscoe, illustrating the degree of adaptation required for such changes:
“We’ve come a long way since the start of the year for sure,”
James Small, Crew Chief.
“We had a guy that was around, willing to come into the shop and work hard with us side by side with us and have some buy in in what we take to the track every week. From that standpoint it’s been very very different. It’s been a learning experience for us.”
James Small, Crew Chief.
This openness and commitment to collaboration helped accelerate the development of chemistry and performance that the team sought after such a significant shakeup.
Renewed Hope for a Sixth Cup Championship
As the season comes to a dramatic close at Phoenix Raceway, Joe Gibbs Racing finds itself not only recovered from last year’s disappointment but also on the threshold of ending its championship drought. The team’s adaptability, willingness to embrace change, and commitment to reimagining its crew chief and driver pairings have reignited the JGR’s NASCAR success story. With Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe leading the charge against formidable rivals in the final race, the organization is determined to capitalize on a season built on bold transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. The outcome at Phoenix may define this new era for Joe Gibbs Racing, but their readiness and revival have already sent a message to the rest of NASCAR: adaptation and vision remain essential ingredients for championship glory.
