During a relatively uneventful race in New Hampshire, a tense moment unfolded between Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs. The Denny Hamlin Ty Gibbs incident occurred after Hamlin, frustrated with Gibbs’ racing behavior, spun him out on the track. This clash stirred questions about team dynamics and how such conflicts will be managed moving forward.
Leading up to the spin, Hamlin expressed visible anger over the radio, urging his team to communicate with Gibbs and align their racing strategies. However, this mediation did not take place, escalating tensions until Hamlin made contact with Gibbs’ back left bumper, sending him into a spin.
Post-Race Silence and Broadcast Analysis
Both Hamlin and Gibbs appeared reluctant to address the incident during post-race interviews, prompting detailed discussion among the USA Network broadcast team, including analysts Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte. The exchange highlighted the complexities behind such conflicts and what might determine the outcome within the team.
The ultimate resolution depends largely on the decisions made behind closed doors by Joe Gibbs Racing’s leadership.
Ownership’s Role in Resolving Teammate Conflicts
Steve Letarte emphasized the importance of the team owner’s authority in settling disputes such as this.
“I think it really comes down to the owner,”
Letarte said.
“I think coach has to decide. I think it’s as simple as that. We can talk about Denny Hamlin, we can talk about Ty Gibbs, Jeff and I can give our opinions. Our opinions don’t matter. The opinion that matters is the man who has his name on the building, it’s as simple as that.”
He extended this perspective by comparing it to other top teams:
“It’s the same for Rick Hendrick, Richard Childress, you could go up and down the owners. They’re the ones invested, they’re paying the bills, they’re the guys. They hire who drives their racecars.”
On-Track Frustration Sparks Incident
Hamlin’s irritation stemmed from what he described as “some teammate bulls**t” during the race. Both drivers raced closely side by side for several laps before Hamlin ultimately caused Gibbs to spin out. Whether the spin was intentional or accidental, it was clear Hamlin sought to push Gibbs up the track.
Letarte Offers a Perspective on Team Strategy
Steve Letarte, providing measured commentary on the situation, stressed the need for clear team strategy, especially when balancing the interests of playoff contenders and other teammates.
“I have some opinion, I think it’s important that this has been laid out (in terms of strategy),”
he remarked.
“I think that a driver back in 10th, 11th, 12th probably should concede to a playoff driver if he is much faster. But that’s my opinion. I don’t own the race team.”
He also underscored the owner’s critical role:
“What I want here is I want coach, the Super Bowl championship coach, he’s called coach for a reason. This is what owners need.”
Letarte added,
“Everyone always asks, what’s an owner do? Well he raises money and he hires the right people, but when an owner is really tested is this moment right here. Because I agree with Jeff, this is an intersection.”
Potential Impact on Joe Gibbs Racing and Next Steps
The fallout from the on-track altercation may either deepen tension within the Joe Gibbs Racing team or be quickly resolved, depending on how both drivers and team management choose to proceed. The involvement of Joe Gibbs himself remains uncertain, with additional factors complicating the situation.
Letarte highlighted the personal dynamics at play, especially noting the family connection between Joe Gibbs and Ty Gibbs:
“What makes it more complicated because it’s coach Gibbs talking about grandson Ty Gibbs,”
he explained. “You cannot take those layers off the onion. Those are real. Those connections are real.
So it’ll be interesting to see if Denny and Ty … and just as important for (Christopher) Bell and (Chase) Briscoe. So I think it’s a real turning point or a real intersection for all of Joe Gibbs Racing.”
The Nos. 11 and 54 get together! @TyGibbs spins and backs it into the wall. pic.twitter.com/Qp9oVyufFF
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 21, 2025
