During the opening race of the 2025 playoff Round 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, tensions flared between Joe Gibbs Racing teammates, as Denny Hamlin collided with Ty Gibbs, who also serves as co-owner of the team. The incident disrupted what was expected to be a commanding performance by the Gibbs drivers and highlighted growing friction within the squad.
Midway through the race, Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Ty Gibbs, all competing outside the top 10, found themselves engaged in aggressive battles against each other. The No. 54 Toyota of Gibbs made assertive defensive moves against his teammates, despite the fact that Hamlin, Bell, and Chase Briscoe—key contenders fighting for the championship—deserved more respect given their battle for the title, while Gibbs was not in that position.
Hamlin grew increasingly frustrated by Gibbs’s tactics after multiple contact points on the track. Eventually, Hamlin forcefully turned Gibbs, causing him to spin and clearing the way for himself and Bell. Christopher Bell finished sixth, Hamlin crossed the line in twelfth, and Ty Gibbs ended the day with a disappointing 35th-place finish, marking his second worst result of the season.
Hamlin Addresses Underlying Issues With Gibbs
After the race, a visibly upset Denny Hamlin sent a stern message to Ty Gibbs, stressing the importance of respect and teamwork. Hamlin reminded Gibbs that he, along with Bell and Briscoe, is striving to secure a long-awaited championship for the Gibbs family, a goal they have pursued since 2019.
“We made contact into [Turn] 1 — it was like a fourth or fifth time we made contact, but eventually he ended up getting spun… Obviously us, the 20 [of Bell], the 19 [of Briscoe] are all trying to win a championship for their family. So, it’s crazy unfortunate why we’re racing the way we are.”
Denny Hamlin said via Fox Sports.
This clash reflected deeper frustrations, as Hamlin took on a mentor role for Gibbs, the 2021 Xfinity Series champion and young driver on the team. Since Gibbs’s Cup Series debut as a temporary replacement for Kurt Busch at 23XI Racing, Hamlin has worked closely with him to improve his racecraft and understanding of competition.
“I definitely have more dialogue with him than any of the other teammates that I have. But he’s just got so much to learn and certainly got a very high ceiling of talent. Just understanding down and distance seems to be the struggle.”
Denny Hamlin said.
Hamlin emphasized that Gibbs has a lot to learn despite his obvious talent, specifically in managing race situations and knowing when to yield space to teammates engaged in the championship hunt. This perspective aims to help Gibbs grow while maintaining team unity moving forward.
Plans to Resolve Team Tensions Ahead of Upcoming Races
The incident at Loudon is set to be addressed at a scheduled team meeting, where Hamlin expects Joe Gibbs and team leadership to mediate and find a resolution. Hamlin noted the challenges in racing alongside a teammate who is not battling for the title and acknowledged the need to establish clearer guidelines for team conduct.
“The 54 got back clear of me and the 20, and we ran him right back down, and then just couldn’t get any space to race once we were trying to pass. I don’t know what the whole formula is, but I’m sure Joe and those guys will figure it out.”
Denny Hamlin said.
Joe Gibbs Racing faces a difficult balancing act—supporting Gibbs’s development as a promising driver while ensuring that his on-track actions do not jeopardize the championship aspirations of Bell, Briscoe, and Hamlin. Achieving team harmony will be critical to maximizing their collective success for the remainder of the season.
The Loudon crash and subsequent warnings from Hamlin underline the intense pressure within Joe Gibbs Racing as they pursue their first championship in years. How they resolve these internal conflicts could shape the outcome of the 2025 playoff and the future dynamic of the team.
