Just three races into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, Joe Gibbs Racing performance concerns have become a topic of discussion, as none of its four drivers have cracked the top-15 in the points standings. Notably, Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs have all faced unexpected challenges early in the year, sparking intense focus on the team’s trajectory as the season progresses.
Despite the frustrating results, Adam Stevens, Christopher Bell’s crew chief, maintains a measured outlook regarding Joe Gibbs Racing’s form. Stevens addressed these issues in a recent SiriusXM NASCAR Radio interview, sharing insights about the team’s struggles and their approach to overcoming them.
“If the performance is there, the results will come around,” Stevens said. “And like we talked about, the sample of tracks to start the season is a little quirky and it’s prone to misfortune.”
This year, the team’s driver lineup consists of Hamlin in the #11, Briscoe in the #19, Ty Gibbs in the #54, and Bell behind the wheel of the #20 car. Currently, Ty Gibbs holds the highest position among JGR drivers, sitting 17th in points. Hamlin follows in 23rd, with Bell in 24th and Briscoe in 27th—an unusual sight for a powerhouse team that typically contends for wins and championships.
“We don’t feel like we’re suffering for performance at any of the three tracks we’ve really been to,” Stevens continued. “We’re just suffering for results, and hopefully the law averages will kick in here eventually, and maybe we can have some cleaner weekends. We’re not hitting the panic button yet but we’re certainly paying attention.” — Adam Stevens, Crew Chief
These comments capture the underlying frustration within the team, reflecting both a sense of unease and determination to avoid slipping farther behind as the competition heats up. The uneven start stands in stark contrast with expectations for Joe Gibbs Racing, a perennial favorite in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Competitive Environment Intensifies as 23XI Racing Rises
While Joe Gibbs Racing works to resolve their performance inconsistency, Tyler Reddick has taken center stage at 23XI Racing—an allied team launched in partnership between Denny Hamlin and NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. Reddick, currently topping the Cup Series leaderboard, has put extra pressure on Joe Gibbs Racing to find answers, given the technical alliance between the organizations since 2020.
The next opportunity for Joe Gibbs Racing to turn their fortunes around will be at the Straight Talk Wireless 500, held at Phoenix Raceway. Scheduled for March 8, the event will be broadcast on FS1 at 3:30 pm ET, with radio coverage provided by MRN and NASCAR Radio. JGR’s drivers—Briscoe, Hamlin, Bell, and Ty Gibbs—will be aiming for a much-needed reset as they approach the high-stakes event.
Legal Battle Unfolds With Former Competition Director
Amid their on-track difficulties, Joe Gibbs Racing is facing a legal dispute involving Chris Gabehart, its former competition director and veteran crew chief. The team has filed a lawsuit seeking $8 million in damages, alleging theft of proprietary team information and sharing it with rival Cup team Spire Motorsports.
JGR, intent on safeguarding its racing strategies and data, has sought a restraining order against Gabehart. The order, if enforced, would restrict Gabehart from providing services to Spire Motorsports similar to those he performed at JGR, specifically for 18 months.
“Defendant Gabehart shall be restrained from violating Section 6 of his Employment Agreement, which prohibits providing services of the general type of services that Defendant Gabehart provided to JGR in the year prior to his termination,” read one of the specifics of the order (via Motorsport). “For the sake of clarity, the Court is not requiring Gabehart to resign from his position at Spire or prohibiting him from working for Spire. Other services not performed at JGR in the year prior to his termination are permissible.”
The court’s ruling permits Gabehart to remain at Spire Motorsports but blocks him from taking on roles similar to his responsibilities at Joe Gibbs Racing and as the team’s previous competition director. This targeted restriction aims to prevent competitive harm while avoiding a complete work prohibition.
Looking Ahead: Stakes Rise for Joe Gibbs Racing
The focus now shifts to the Phoenix Raceway, where JGR hopes to reverse its fortunes on a track that has been pivotal in past seasons. The pressure is mounting not only from within their own organization but also from external factors, as Tyler Reddick continues his impressive run with three consecutive wins, including a triumph at the Daytona 500. A fourth consecutive victory would set a new record and further highlight the contrasting fortunes between Joe Gibbs Racing and its alliance partner, 23XI Racing.
As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series unfolds, unresolved Joe Gibbs Racing performance concerns threaten to cast a long shadow unless swift progress is made. The next race presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the celebrated team to prove its resilience and restore its status among NASCAR’s elite.
With all four @JoeGibbsRacing drivers outside the top 16 in points three races into the season, should the organization be worried?
Adam Stevens doesn't think so:
🎧 "We don't feel like we're suffering for performance."
More → https://t.co/WGRTG5gnEd pic.twitter.com/xeBp6ukadS
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) March 6, 2026
