Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs Feud Threatens JGR’s Title Bid

Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs clash threatens Joe Gibbs Racing harmony. [Image Source: YARDBARKER]
Sonia Mcmillan

Joe Gibbs Racing entered the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with strong momentum, thanks to a dominant performance in the Round of 16 from their playoff drivers Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell. However, the mood turned tense after the Round of 12 opener at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where a collision between Hamlin and teammate Ty Gibbs sparked a feud that now threatens JGR’s championship hopes. This conflict raises concerns about the team’s internal dynamics as Hamlin aims for his first Cup Series championship.

While Briscoe and Bell also pursue their first titles with JGR, the rivalry between Hamlin and Gibbs risks disrupting teamwork and harmony within the organization. Understanding the fallout from New Hampshire is essential as the team prepares for the upcoming race at Kansas Speedway.

The Incident at New Hampshire That Sparked the Conflict

During the early stages of the New Hampshire race, a heated battle for track position turned contentious when Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs collided. The clash occurred as Hamlin grew frustrated with Gibbs, a non-playoff driver who was aggressively racing him despite not being in championship contention. The incident culminated in Hamlin wrecking Gibbs, causing Gibbs to spin and hit the wall.

The Nos. 11 and 54 get together! @TyGibbs spins and backs it into the wall. pic.twitter.com/Qp9oVyufFF

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 21, 2025

While the on-track event was straightforward, its aftermath proved far more complex. Ty Gibbs, the grandson of JGR’s owner and founder Joe Gibbs, occupies a unique position on the team given his family ties. Hamlin’s reaction was restrained but clearly pointed to his expectation that Gibbs should have shown more deference on the track.

I’ll let (JGR) leadership kind of quarterback it however they’d like to. But, obviously, us and the 20 (Christopher Bell) and 19 (Chase Briscoe) are all trying to win a championship for their family,

Hamlin said after the race.

So, it’s crazy unfortunate why we’re racing the way we are.

— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) September 21, 2025

Hamlin’s frustration was evident over the team radio prior to the crash when he questioned Gibbs’ priorities.

Does Ty know we’re going for a championship?

he asked. What the (expletive)?

Ty Gibbs responded sparingly after the incident but notably said “game on” over team radio following the wreck, signaling his willingness to continue the competitive tension. Despite the heated exchange, Hamlin downplayed the likelihood of any retaliation from Gibbs but expressed concerns about the overall impact of this discord.

On his Actions Detrimental podcast the day after the race, Hamlin acknowledged how difficult it already is to secure a championship and warned that internal conflicts would only make it harder.

This thing is hard enough to win, anyway,

Hamlin said.

But if you’re going to have to race your teammates harder than anyone on the racetrack, then this will be really, really tough for any one of us to win.

Efforts to Reconcile and Restore Team Unity at Kansas Speedway

Several days after the New Hampshire incident, Hamlin’s tone had softened as he spoke at Kansas Speedway, where JGR looked to move past the dispute. Hamlin revealed that the team held meetings focused on resolving the tensions between drivers, including the ongoing issues with Gibbs.

I think they are in a good place,

Hamlin said.

We had some meetings this week. And they were all productive meetings.

Hamlin withheld specific details concerning who said what during these discussions.

The guts of that are going to be confidential,

he stated.

The dialogue involved input from all four JGR drivers as they attempted to forge a plan to avoid such conflicts going forward.

All the drivers had an opportunity to speak and try to come up with a plan,

Hamlin explained.

We did our best to come up with one.

At Kansas, Hamlin also reflected on his conduct during the New Hampshire race, admitting he let his emotions get the better of him.

Certainly, absolutely, Hamlin said.

I definitely got hot under the collar. And it went too far on my end. There were things I wish I could have done a little bit differently.

Denny Hamlin wouldn’t go into details on the JGR driver meeting with JGR leadership Wednesday. He did say he got too hot under the collar during the race at New Hampshire. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/K2yfmts7uG

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 27, 2025

Potential Consequences of the Feud for JGR’s Championship Goals

The discord between Hamlin and Gibbs threatens to undermine Joe Gibbs Racing’s momentum in the fiercely competitive NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. With Hamlin chasing the elusive first championship of his career, and Briscoe and Bell also striving for their maiden titles, fragmented team relations could jeopardize their collective success. The ability for the drivers to race respectfully and support one another is crucial during the playoff rounds, where every point counts.

If unresolved, the rift could erode trust and cooperation within JGR, making it even harder for the team to sustain its winning streak. The meetings at Kansas Speedway represent a critical step toward reconciliation, but maintaining harmony throughout the remaining playoff races will be essential for JGR’s championship ambitions.

As the playoffs progress, watchers will be closely monitoring how the relationship between Hamlin and Gibbs evolves, and whether their feud can be fully resolved so that the organization can focus on the ultimate prize. The coming races will test both drivers’ abilities to set aside personal conflict and prioritize team success.

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