Dale Earnhardt Jr, speaking on his renowned Dale Jr. Download podcast, addressed a major shift at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) as competition director Chris Gabehart exited the organization. The unexpected move comes in the midst of a legal battle involving an antitrust lawsuit and has raised questions about team stability within NASCAR as the season unfolds.
During a brief pause in the escalating antitrust proceedings, motorsports journalist Jenna Fryer confirmed Gabehart’s departure, although JGR has yet to make any public statement. Gabehart, previously Denny Hamlin’s accomplished crew chief, was promoted to oversee competition for the Cup Series team, a role that has reportedly now been vacated amid ongoing corporate turbulence.
Gabehart’s Track Record and Leadership Role at JGR
Before advancing to lead the competition division, Chris Gabehart built a reputation working with notable drivers such as Denny Hamlin. Under Gabehart’s direction, Hamlin secured an impressive 22 victories between 2019 and 2024 in the iconic #11 Toyota Camry. Most recently, Gabehart took on the responsibility of crew chief for Ty Gibbs and the #54 team this season, further solidifying his integral role within the organization.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. reflected on Gabehart’s significance to JGR and commented on the potential ramifications of his exit, stating:
“It’s a big loss for JGR, and it kind of makes you wonder, um, you know, what the general temperature is, I guess with when a guy like that’s going to leave the building. It appeared that he had a position, you know; he had been elevated out of the way from the crew chief position from Denny Hamlin into the director of competition, which is a very critical, important role.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., former NASCAR driver and podcast host
“And I thought, man, this guy is perfect for this. Um, and and they will be well they’ll be well positioned with him in that role. Um, so it’s hard to imagine how he got away or what would have been the result or the cause, I guess, of the departure.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., former NASCAR driver and podcast host
Speculation has surfaced about Gabehart possibly joining Spire Motorsports in the 2026 season, but no official announcements have clarified his future or the direction Joe Gibbs Racing will take to fill this critical vacancy.
Denny Hamlin’s Pursuit Ends in Disappointment at Phoenix
As Joe Gibbs Racing adapts to the post-Gabehart era, Denny Hamlin’s latest championship drive ended in frustration at Phoenix Raceway. After dominating much of the season, Hamlin narrowly missed capturing his first Cup Series championship, intensifying the year’s sense of lost opportunities for the team.
Coming off a commanding performance leading up to the championship finale, Hamlin discussed his Phoenix heartbreak in detail in a trackside interview, emphasizing his team’s preparation and their tough pit strategy decision:
“Yeah, nothing I can do differently. Prepared as good as I could coming into the weekend. My team gave me a fantastic car. Just didn’t work out. I was just praying for no caution. Had one there. What can you do? Just not meant to be.”
— Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
“We took four tires. I thought that definitely was the right call. Just so many cars took two there. Obviously put us back. Team did a fantastic job. They prepared a championship car. Just didn’t happen. I’ll try (to win a title again). I got a couple more shots at it,” he added.
— Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
For much of the Championship 4 race, Hamlin controlled the field, leading 208 laps, but ultimately finished behind Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports, who captured his second Cup Series championship. Hamlin’s determination to keep competing underscores the ongoing ambitions at JGR as the team regroups after losing both a key personnel member and a shot at the title.
What the Future Holds for Joe Gibbs Racing and NASCAR
The departure of competition director Chris Gabehart represents a significant turning point for Joe Gibbs Racing, already contending with both internal changes and a high-stakes legal dispute. This leadership change, combined with Denny Hamlin’s championship defeat and rampant speculation about future team moves, presents a season marked by upheaval and uncertainty. As fans and teams await official updates, the saga highlights the complexity and intensity that define NASCAR’s competitive landscape, especially as organizations like JGR and key figures such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, and Chris Gabehart chart their next steps.
