Denny Hamlin addressed the recent intense confrontation with his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The heated battle on the track, marked by aggressive maneuvers and multiple contacts, has drawn considerable attention, with Hamlin reflecting on the causes and consequences of the clash.
The On-Track Battle Between Hamlin and Gibbs at New Hampshire
During the race’s second stage at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, an intense rivalry unfolded between teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs. Hamlin, a playoff contender, was aggressively trying to advance on Gibbs, who is not competing in the playoffs this season. The competition escalated over approximately ten laps, as Gibbs impeded Hamlin’s attempts to pass without easing off. The repeated contact between them climaxed with Hamlin spinning Gibbs into the outside wall, abruptly ending Gibbs’ race due to substantial damage.
Hamlin’s Reflections and Admission of Error
On his podcast, Actions Detrimental, Denny Hamlin expressed disappointment over the clash, emphasizing the frustration of competing against a teammate. He said,
“I would think that… Ty would want one of us to win a championship. It’s his name on the building.”
Hamlin later spoke with journalist Bob Pockrass, acknowledging his mistake saying,
“We made contact in one. It was like the fourth or fifth time we made contact, but it eventually ended up getting spun. I made a mistake in turn one, so, yeah, I would have made a mistake with anybody in that position. I was trying to get, get by him. That was a task in itself… Yeah, I’ll let leadership, kind of, you know, quarterback it however they’d like to, but obviously us, the 20, 19 are all trying to win a championship for their family, so it’s crazy, unfortunate while we’re racing the way we are.”
He described the situation as “crazy unfortunate” but noted that among his teammates, he communicates most with Ty Gibbs and recognizes his talent despite their differences on the track.
Hamlin’s Successful Season Amidst Team Challenges
This season, Denny Hamlin has secured five victories, including a significant win at the World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. This triumph marked the 200th Toyota Cup Series win and brought Hamlin within a single victory of tying NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick for 10th on the all-time wins list, with 59 wins to his name. His expertise in race strategy, tire management, and fuel conservation has greatly contributed to his strong performances throughout the season, even as teammate conflicts arise.
Impact of the Clash on Team Dynamics and Future Races
The confrontation between Hamlin and Gibbs highlights the challenges faced when teammates compete fiercely, especially during crucial periods like the playoff season. While Hamlin acknowledges mistakes and the need for careful navigation of intra-team battles, the incident has raised questions about how Joe Gibbs Racing will manage drivers competing for shared goals without jeopardizing race outcomes. With both drivers aiming for championships under the same team banner, the balance between aggressive racing and cooperation will be critical for their future success.
Denny Hamlin’s candid admissions reflect the high stakes and pressures present in NASCAR’s top series, where even teammates can become rivals on the track. As the season advances, how Joe Gibbs Racing handles such tensions will influence their championship hopes and internal cohesion.
Some of what Denny Hamlin told reporters postrace. He said he (Hamlin) made a mistake going into Turn 1. Wondered why they were racing like that when he and Bell and Briscoe are trying to win a title for JGR. pic.twitter.com/M6Q0T8dY3Z
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 21, 2025
