Following a heated moment at New Hampshire, Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs remain at the center of a tense storyline involving aggressive driving and team conflict. The 44-year-old Hamlin publicly acknowledged his part in the conflict, which began when he spun out his 22-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, ending Gibbs’s race prematurely. As the team prepared for the upcoming event at Kansas Speedway, the focus remained squarely on resolving the simmering tension between the two drivers.
Hamlin Calls for Leadership Intervention, but Team Owner Defers Responsibility
After the New Hampshire race, Denny Hamlin expressed frustration and appealed to team leadership to step in. The driver hoped for mediation to address the discord within Joe Gibbs Racing. However, Ty Gibbs’s grandfather and team owner declined to intervene publicly, emphasizing that the drivers needed to work out the conflict among themselves. This stance left the duo and their teammates with the responsibility to find a resolution ahead of their next race.
Hamlin Reflects on Recent Developments and Private Discussions
At the Kansas Speedway media session, Hamlin spoke with reporters about the current state of his relationship with Ty Gibbs. He indicated that he and Gibbs had engaged in several meetings over the past week, describing them as “productive” but refraining from disclosing the details. Hamlin suggested that the core matters of those conversations needed to remain confidential, signaling a degree of progress but acknowledging ongoing challenges.
When pressed about whether all drivers on the team had the opportunity to voice their perspectives and if leadership ultimately got involved, Hamlin confirmed that each driver was able to share their views. Yet, he noted that team leaders did not act on his request for intervention.
“Yeah, all the drivers had an opportunity to speak and try to come up with a plan and I think we did our best to come up with one,”
Hamlin said.
“That’s it. That’s all I have. I’m sorry.”
Hamlin Accepts Responsibility for Escalation in the Feud
Reflecting on the intensity of the incident and his own reactions, Hamlin conceded that he became overly emotional during the confrontation.
“Yeah, well, I mean, certainly, absolutely,”
he admitted.
“I think that I definitely got hot under the collar. It went too far on my end and certainly there was things that I wish I could have done a little differently.”
This admission revealed Hamlin’s awareness of his role in escalating the conflict, illustrating his willingness to own up to his mistakes amid the tension.
Ty Gibbs Avoids Media Interaction Following Qualifying Session
While Hamlin engaged with the press, Ty Gibbs chose to evade reporters after qualifying at Kansas Speedway. According to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Gibbs spotted a group of reporters waiting for comment and swiftly moved away, taking a golf cart to exit the area before any questions could be asked. Gluck observed on social media that Gibbs could have simply declined to comment but opted to avoid the interaction altogether, deepening the uncertainty around his perspective on the ongoing feud.
Summary of Race Qualifying Results and Upcoming Challenges
In qualifying at the Kansas 1.5-mile track, Denny Hamlin secured a strong second-place finish behind his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe, who claimed pole position. Another JGR driver, Christopher Bell, finished fifth, while Ty Gibbs ended the session in eighth place. These results set the stage for a high-stakes race weekend, as the team grapples not only with competition on the track but also with internal discord.
Implications for Team Dynamics and Future Steps
The unresolved tension between Hamlin and Ty Gibbs poses challenges for Joe Gibbs Racing as the season progresses. Despite meetings and opportunities for dialogue, leadership’s decision to step back suggests that the drivers themselves must navigate this delicate situation. Hamlin’s readiness to accept fault may open pathways to reconciliation, but Gibbs’s avoidance of the media reflects ongoing unease. The team’s upcoming performances and internal communications will likely reveal how effectively they can move past these conflicts and maintain cohesion in competition.
At @kansasspeedway, @dennyhamlin spoke with reporters and took accountability for his role in the feud with teammate @TyGibbs at @NHMS. He also acknowledged all the drivers met but also indicated team leadership didn't intervene per his request. pic.twitter.com/FFMXNLYKkV
— Kyle Dalton (@kdsportswriter) September 27, 2025
.@TyGibbs saw several reporters waiting for him after qualifying. He quickly walked to the other end of pit road and hopped on a golf cart and drove away as @bobpockrass (who speed-walked faster than the rest of us) tried asking a question. Guess that’s a no comment (he could…
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) September 27, 2025
