Joe Gibbs Racing enters this year’s Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium with a storied legacy, aiming to extend its dominance in NASCAR’s high-profile exhibition race. As anticipation builds around the Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR preview, attention turns to Denny Hamlin, who is in a prime position to add another victory to the team’s impressive record.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Historic Success in the Clash
Over the years, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has become synonymous with excellence at the Clash, tallying twelve wins in the event. Legendary drivers like Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, and Martin Truex Jr. have all delivered triumphs for the organization, with four of those wins coming within the past six years. This record underscores JGR’s unique ability to excel in high-pressure, single-race competitions, particularly at venues like Daytona International Speedway, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and Bowman Gray Stadium.
A Look Back at the 2025 Season
JGR showcased its depth during the 2025 season by having three drivers—Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell—finish within the top five of the final NASCAR Cup Series standings. The team collectively achieved thirteen points-paying victories, notched up forty-seven top-five finishes, and recorded sixty-nine top-tens, while leading a total of 2,494 laps and securing thirteen pole positions. Notably, Christopher Bell also claimed a non-points victory at the NASCAR All-Star Race, while Ty Gibbs won the inaugural In-Season Tournament. This consistent, high-level performance further cements JGR’s status as a powerhouse organization in the sport.
Denny Hamlin: Chasing Another Clash Title
Denny Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Bob’s Discount Furniture Toyota Camry XSE, stands out as one of the defining competitors in the Clash’s history. With four wins in the exhibition event—three at the Daytona International Speedway and the latest at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2024—Hamlin is second only to Dale Earnhardt’s six wins on the all-time list. At last year’s Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, Hamlin started third, led for 28 laps, and ultimately finished in the same position, reinforcing his consistent strength at the event.
Hamlin’s Stellar 2025 Campaign with Chris Gayle
In the 2025 season, Hamlin delivered a career-high six wins, driving under the guidance of new crew chief Chris Gayle. These victories included triumphs at iconic tracks such as Martinsville Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Michigan International Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, World Wide Technology Raceway, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Achieving his 60th career win at Las Vegas marked a milestone, as he joined an elite group of just eleven drivers to reach this mark in the NASCAR Cup Series. Over the season, Hamlin accumulated fourteen top-five finishes, eighteen top-tens, five pole positions, and led over 1,000 laps, all culminating in a second-place finish in the championship.
Chris Gayle’s Leadership on the No. 11 Team
This year marks Chris Gayle’s eighth full season as a Cup Series crew chief. Over 250 races leading various teams, Gayle has guided drivers to eight victories, fifty-seven top-five finishes, ninety-nine top-tens, nine poles, and 2,167 laps led. His partnership with Hamlin last season unlocked a new level of success, bringing home six wins. Beyond the Cup Series, Gayle has also enjoyed outstanding results in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where his teams amassed thirty-seven victories over 198 starts. With Hamlin, Gayle appears set to continue the strong form into the Clash.
Spotlight on Bob’s Discount Furniture Sponsorship
Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota will feature sponsorship from Bob’s Discount Furniture for the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and in select races throughout the season, including stops at Phoenix Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, Naval Base Coronado, and Richmond Raceway. Bob’s Discount Furniture operates over 200 stores in 26 states, positioning itself as one of the fastest-growing furniture retailers in the United States. This partnership brings added visibility to both Hamlin and the brand on one of NASCAR’s biggest stages.
Chase Briscoe and the No. 19 Team’s Drive Forward
Chase Briscoe, piloting the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE, goes into this year’s Clash after a breakout 2025 season. In his four previous Clash appearances—three at the Los Angeles Coliseum and one at Bowman Gray—Briscoe has continued to gain valuable experience. However, mechanical trouble cut short his race at Bowman Gray last year, resulting in a 23rd-place finish.
Despite that setback, Briscoe enjoyed a career-best season, finishing third in the final standings with three major victories at Pocono Raceway, Darlington Raceway, and Talladega Superspeedway. Briscoe led the Cup Series with seven pole awards, and garnered fifteen top-fives, nineteen top-tens, and 884 laps led. His continued improvement marks him as a threat in every race he enters.
James Small’s Ongoing Impact on the No. 19 Team
For seven seasons, James Small has served as crew chief for the No. 19 team, with the last two alongside Briscoe. His expertise has fostered eleven wins, sixty top-five finishes, over 100 top-tens, and thirteen pole awards in 217 Cup Series starts. Small’s experience includes a successful tenure with Martin Truex Jr. before Briscoe took over driving duties. Under Small’s leadership, the No. 19 team remains a consistent and competitive entry in the field.
Bass Pro Shops’ Commitment to Racing and the Outdoors
Bass Pro Shops serves as the primary backer for Briscoe’s No. 19 car. The brand has earned recognition for its commitment to conservation and for introducing families to the outdoors. As noted by Newsweek:
America’s Most Trusted Retailer for Outdoor Gear
—Newsweek
Bass Pro Shops’ high-profile NASCAR sponsorship further underscores its standing in outdoor sports and conservation circles.
Christopher Bell Aims for Strong Clash Performance
Christopher Bell, at the wheel of the No. 20 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE, is preparing for his fourth start in the Clash and his second at Bowman Gray. Last year, Bell began the race in eighth and finished twelfth. His career-best finish in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum edition was eighth in 2022. Bell is eager to improve upon these results in this year’s event.
Across the 2025 season, Bell was a model of consistency, finishing among the top five drivers in the final standings for the fourth consecutive year. He started the season strongly with wins at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix Raceway, then added another victory at the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. A playoff win at Bristol helped round out a campaign that included thirteen top-five finishes and twenty-two top-tens.
Bell’s Expanding Role and Adam Stevens’ Command
Bell also stepped up as a team owner at the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, demonstrating leadership by winning his qualifying night and finishing eighth in the A-Main finale. Adam Stevens, Bell’s crew chief, is embarking on his twelfth season in this role. Stevens has guided drivers—including two championships with Kyle Busch—to forty-one wins, 150 top-fives, and a remarkable record of finishing in the top five in the points nine times over eleven years. With Stevens’ strategic acumen, Bell is well-equipped to challenge for a top result in the Clash.
Ty Gibbs and No. 54’s Growing Potential
Ty Gibbs will campaign the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE at the Clash, looking to build on a foundation set in two previous starts. In the 2024 Clash, Gibbs started third, led a race-high eighty-four laps, but was caught in a late crash, ending in eighteenth place. Last season at Bowman Gray, a crash in the qualifying round prevented Gibbs from advancing to the main race.
Gibbs’ 2025 season included five top-five results, ten top-tens, and 304 laps led, highlighted by winning the sport’s first-ever In-Season Tournament and a dominant showing at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he led over 200 laps. Gibbs’ progress is a testament to both his driving talent and his partnership with his crew chief Tyler Allen, who led the No. 54 team to improvement in just their second year together. Allen also has a strong pedigree from his previous work in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Expectations and What’s at Stake at the Clash
As the Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR preview unfolds, the team’s deep roster of accomplished drivers, influential crew chiefs, and high-profile sponsors point to another promising showing in the Clash. Denny Hamlin’s pursuit of a record fifth title, Briscoe’s upward trajectory, Bell’s consistency, and Gibbs’ emerging talent combine to give JGR multiple avenues toward victory at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Given the significance of the Clash as a premier exhibition event that sets the tone for the racing season, a JGR win would reaffirm the organization’s status at the forefront of NASCAR competition. Fans and competitors alike will be watching to see if Denny Hamlin, with support from Chris Gayle and Bob’s Discount Furniture, can leverage his experience to secure another historic win and continue Joe Gibbs Racing’s remarkable tradition of success.
