Joe Gibbs Racing finds itself on the back foot after a challenging start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, with all four of its drivers currently ranking outside the top 16 in points. Despite these Joe Gibbs Racing struggles, crew chief Adam Stevens maintains that the team remains focused and is not succumbing to pressure as the season unfolds.
Historic Run by 23XI Racing Sets the Early Pace
This year’s opening trio of races has seen Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing make history, capturing his third consecutive win at the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix. After already triumphing at Dayton and Atlanta, Reddick became the inaugural driver in NASCAR history to start a season with three straight victories. As a result, 23XI Racing now joins the elite ranks of DePaolo Engineering (1957) and Petty Enterprises (1963) as just the third team to win the first three races in a Cup Series campaign.
Joe Gibbs Racing Working Through Early Hurdles
While 23XI Racing is enjoying a remarkable opening run, Joe Gibbs Racing has not seen similar success in the points standings. Through the first three events—held at Daytona, Atlanta, and now Texas—all four of the team’s drivers are yet to crack the top 16. Nevertheless, Adam Stevens, crew chief for the No. 20 car, insists there is no sense of panic within the team, highlighting the importance of analyzing on-track performance as distinct from outright results.
“Well, sure, you know, you have those conversations every Monday and ongoing through the week, and what’s important though is to separate the performance from the results,”
said Adam Stevens, Crew Chief.
Stevens emphasized that strong underlying speed gives the team confidence that results will soon follow. The race weekends so far, he noted, featured a variety of track types—a combination that often produces unpredictable outcomes. He pointed out that the team’s actual race pace has not been a major concern despite the finishes.
“Like we talked about, the sample of tracks to start the season is a little quirky and prone to misfortune. We don’t feel like we’re suffering for performance at any of the three tracks that we’ve been to — we’re just suffering for results,”
Stevens continued. He added:
“Hopefully, the law of averages will kick in here eventually, and maybe we can have some cleaner weekends and climb up there. We’re not hitting the panic button yet, but we’re certainly paying attention,”
said Adam Stevens, Crew Chief.
Denny Hamlin Returns to Phoenix After Past Disappointment
The next race brings the Cup Series to Phoenix Raceway, a track associated with both challenge and disappointment for Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin. Last year, Hamlin experienced a painful setback at this venue while contending for the championship. As he prepares to start 11th in his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota for Sunday’s race, Hamlin addressed the complexities of overcoming mental and competitive hurdles at Phoenix.
“I’m still angry at the track a little bit. But the track doesn’t have a soul, so it can’t feel the things I feel,”
Hamlin shared, referencing his emotional response to previous outcomes at the venue.
“You’ve still got to come in here and start the whole process over again and do all the right things and see where the result pans out this time. Haven’t had a whole lot of races since we were here for the championship, so just trying to get acclimated with where we are at this point and seeing if we can replicate some of the magic we had,”
said Denny Hamlin, Driver.
Future Outlook for Joe Gibbs Racing
With the season still at an early stage and recent races covering a mix of speedways and a road course, the team’s leadership remains convinced that turnaround is achievable. Adam Stevens and his drivers are choosing to focus on refining execution rather than reacting impulsively to a difficult start. As Phoenix Raceway plays host to the Straight Talk Wireless 500, all eyes are on whether Joe Gibbs Racing can translate their raw pace into results and climb back into contention.
The upcoming race marks a pivotal opportunity for the team to reverse its fortunes, and both fans and competitors are watching closely to see if the storied organization can live up to its legacy despite the Joe Gibbs Racing struggles so far this season. The outcome in Phoenix could set the tone for how the remainder of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series campaign unfolds for one of the sport’s most recognized teams.
