During a recent race in New Hampshire, Ty Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing collided aggressively with Denny Hamlin, causing Hamlin to crash into the wall and damage his car. This incident occurred as Hamlin, who is competing for the championship, was focused on maintaining position, while Gibbs pushed hard despite not being in contention for the title. The clash left Hamlin struggling and finishing in 12th place, sparking frustration among fans and team members alike due to Gibbs’ risky driving.
Hamlin expressed concern about how the team is handling Gibbs’ behavior, questioning whether Joe Gibbs, Ty’s grandfather and team leader, is hesitant to discipline him. Hamlin stated,
“What is he [Ty Gibbs] doing? Are they afraid to talk to him? That’s what I feel like. They’re just scared of him.”
This suggests internal tension within Joe Gibbs Racing regarding accountability for Ty’s on-track decisions.
Kyle Petty Critiques Ty Gibbs’ Driving Approach
Kyle Petty, a respected NASCAR analyst and former racer, echoed Hamlin’s concerns during an appearance on GoPRNLive’s Fast Talk. He noted that Ty Gibbs is treated with too much leniency, creating a situation where no one is willing to confront him about his mistakes. Petty explained,
I understand that from Denny. I do understand that because what Denny’s saying is that that is Ty on such a pedestal that everybody’s afraid to tell them that the emperor has no clothes? Okay? Because that’s what you need to tell him. You need to tell him, ‘Learn to drive a race car, and then maybe you’ll win some races.
Petty acknowledged Gibbs’ raw talent but criticized the timing and manner in which he applies it during races. He emphasized,
Because he is a phenomenal talent. He does have that talent. He just doesn’t put it in the right places at the right time. That’s the problem.
Furthermore, Petty said that Gibbs must improve his racing skills and that the incident with Hamlin served as a tough but necessary lesson. He remarked,
You have to learn how to race. And Ty, I believe in a lot of ways, is still learning how to race. And Denny gave him a lesson [at Loudon]. I’m not saying it was the right lesson, but Denny taught him a lesson.
Implications for Joe Gibbs Racing and Future Strategies
The confrontation between Hamlin and Gibbs exposes a critical challenge for Joe Gibbs Racing as it tries to balance nurturing young talent with protecting their championship contender. Ty Gibbs is seen as a promising driver expected to lead the organization forward, yet his current behavior risks undermining team success.
On this matter, Kyle Petty offered a cautionary perspective about Gibbs’ progress, stating,
No, this is his last year. If he’s run three years and hadn’t done any more, but especially coming off his Xfinity record. You are looking at a blue chip player that you thought was going to carry your organization forward, and he’s not taking your organization forward.
This incident and the criticism from both Hamlin and Petty highlight urgent issues within Joe Gibbs Racing regarding how Ty Gibbs’ development is managed. The team’s ability to address these tensions and guide Gibbs toward more disciplined racing will likely be crucial for their competitive future and Hamlin’s championship goals.
