The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs intensified on Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) collided during the Mobil 1 301 race. This confrontation, known as the Denny Hamlin Ty Gibbs tangle, unfolded amid high stakes as the JGR drivers competed to advance further in the Round of 12.
JGR entered the race strong, with Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell all securing their playoff spots by sweeping the opening round. Ty Gibbs, the organization’s fourth driver, was eager to build on his near-win at Bristol Motor Speedway the previous weekend, having led 201 laps before a late-race issue cut his hopes short.
Race Dynamics and the Turning Point Incident
The weekend began poorly for JGR, with their Toyotas struggling in qualifying and throughout much of the race. About 100 laps in, Ty Gibbs was running 11th in the second stage and fiercely defending his position against playoff contenders Hamlin and Bell. While Hamlin likely had the faster car, Gibbs fought hard to maintain track position.
In a moment marked by growing frustration, Hamlin moved aggressively inside Gibbs’ No. 54 car. Hamlin’s No. 11 nudged the left rear quarter panel of Gibbs, causing him to spin and triggering a caution. This clash left the tension between the younger Gibbs and seasoned Hamlin palpable on and off the track.
Reactions and Team Radio Exchanges
Hamlin’s frustration was immediately audible over team radio as he questioned Gibbs’ racing style.
“What the f*** is he doing?”
Hamlin exclaimed, before adding,
“Are they afraid to talk to him? That’s what I feel like, they’re scared of him.”
Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Gibbs responded with a terse “Game on,” signaling that the rivalry was far from over. After the spin, a broken toe link forced Gibbs out of the race when NASCAR regulations allowed only one repair attempt after such incidents, sending him to the infield care center.
Post-Race Comments Reveal Underlying Tensions
Gibbs chose to avoid engaging deeply with reporters about the incident. When questioned, he said,
“Yeah, it’s unfortunate but I’m excited to go race next week and I’m looking forward to it.”
Ty Gibbs, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Regarding Hamlin’s suggestion that someone in JGR management should address Gibbs’ conduct, Gibbs replied,
“Yeah, we’ll have a good race next week. I’m looking forward to it.”
Ty Gibbs, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Hamlin finished 12th in the race, earning a couple of stage points in the second segment. Though he admitted the contact originated from his car, he expressed regret but did not fully accept blame.
“It’s super unfortunate he got spun there and obviously the contact came from us,”
Hamlin stated.
“Yeah, I don’t have any other comment other than that. Just had some contact into (turn) 1. It was obviously a really rough race before that.”
Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series driver
When asked if he planned to speak with Gibbs about the incident, Hamlin remained noncommittal:
“Well, I mean, we’ll work through it and all but just — we’ll see how it goes. But honestly, it’s unfortunate the contact happened.”
Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Playoff Pressure and Team Dynamics Highlighted by Conflict
The collision shed light on the differences in expectations between established playoff drivers like Hamlin and emerging talent Ty Gibbs. Hamlin appeared to believe Gibbs was overly aggressive for a driver outside the title hunt, while Gibbs was clearly frustrated by what he perceived as an unnecessary move.
The incident raised questions about how these teammates, with divergent goals—Hamlin focused on contending for the championship and Gibbs chasing his first career Cup win—will coexist as the playoffs unfold. NASCAR did not penalize Hamlin since the contact, while intentional, was not deemed egregious enough to warrant intervention.
This leaves the responsibility to resolve the tension with the drivers and Joe Gibbs Racing management. Though the importance of the championship may cool overt hostilities, the underlying friction between Hamlin and Gibbs might fuel ongoing friction within the team as the season progresses.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Joe Gibbs Racing Team
With JGR having three drivers still in championship contention and Ty Gibbs eager for his breakthrough victory, the internal rivalry highlights the balancing act the team faces. Maintaining unity among drivers with competing ambitions will be critical if the organization hopes to secure its next NASCAR Cup Series title.
Both Hamlin and Gibbs have expressed eagerness to move past the incident and compete hard in the coming races. How they manage this conflict could shape not only their individual playoff outcomes but also team dynamics in the high-pressure closing stages of the season.
