Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), known for its dominant presence in the NASCAR playoffs, is currently facing potential internal turmoil. Following a tense moment between Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, fans fear this conflict could threaten JGR’s championship ambitions after five seasons without a title. NASCAR veteran Brad Keselowski recently shared his firsthand perspective on the incident during the Stacking Pennies podcast, shedding light on the clash.
Brad Keselowski’s Account of the Controversy
JGR had a strong showing in the playoffs’ round of 16, with Chase Briscoe winning at Darlington, Hamlin securing victory at Gateway, and Christopher Bell taking the checkered flag at Bristol. These wins allowed Briscoe, Hamlin, and Bell to advance to the round of 12, which kicked off at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It was in this race that the confrontation between Hamlin and Gibbs arose. During the early part of the second stage, Gibbs aggressively challenged Hamlin for a position that was not even inside the top 10. Despite Gibbs not being in playoff contention, he did not yield to Hamlin, who was still competing for the championship. This refusal to concede angered Hamlin, who eventually made contact with Gibbs. The collision forced Gibbs into the outside wall, sparking debate among the NASCAR community about who was at fault.
Keselowski, who witnessed the event up close, supported Hamlin’s stance. He explained,
“I was right behind this when it happened. Okay. First off, I was super surprised that the 54 was racing the 11 as hard as he was. Well, clearly the 11 car is faster. I don’t know how the 54 got in front of the 11, but it was pretty clear the 11 car was faster and he gave him a chop. I think the lap before this and I think that really set Denny off. Yeah, personally that’s kind of what I see and I could kind of understand that.”
— Brad Keselowski
The Stakes Behind the Collision
Although Hamlin has denied intentionally wrecking Gibbs, the intense pressures of playoff racing provide context for the incident. Hamlin, as a playoff contender, could not afford to be slowed by a teammate like Gibbs, who was no longer in the hunt. Moreover, Bell was positioned just behind Hamlin, highlighting that Gibbs was obstructing two of JGR’s championship hopefuls. Keselowski empathized with Hamlin’s mindset amid the high stakes, saying,
“I can understand Denny’s frustration. I think he was a little faster than the 54. He’s got a lot on the line. Like, dude, what are we doing here? He had Christopher Bell, I think, right behind him, which was his other teammate. You need the stage points. We were just talking about that. Like there’s a lot going on here.”
— Brad Keselowski
Support for Hamlin From Fellow NASCAR Veterans
Brad Keselowski was not alone in backing Hamlin. Dale Earnhardt Jr. also voiced support for the #11 driver, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in the playoffs. Earnhardt Jr. remarked,
“You’re our teammate, like you’ll totally let him go. If I’m racing my teammate and he’s in the playoffs and I’m not, like, I’m not even thinking about him in the car; I’m letting him go.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr.
This strong backing from experienced drivers underscores the expectation that playoff contenders deserve clear track from teammates who have already been eliminated.
Implications for Joe Gibbs Racing’s Championship Run
Following the incident, Ty Gibbs issued a terse declaration: Game on. This signals his intent to retaliate, potentially escalating tensions within Joe Gibbs Racing just as the playoffs grow more intense. The dispute threatens to disrupt the harmony needed for JGR to secure its first championship in five years. How the team manages these internal conflicts could be crucial in determining their success during the remainder of the playoffs.
