Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has built an impressive legacy at The Clash exhibition race, securing 12 victories, including wins in four of the last six seasons. Notable drivers such as Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, and Martin Truex Jr. have each won The Clash while driving for JGR. This rich history sets a strong foundation as the team prepares for the upcoming Clash event.
Reviewing JGR’s 2025 NASCAR Season Highlights
Last season, Joe Gibbs Racing demonstrated formidable consistency by placing three drivers within the top five of the final points standings. Denny Hamlin secured second place, Chase Briscoe came in third, and Christopher Bell finished fifth across the full season. Collectively, JGR’s drivers amassed 13 points-paying race victories, 47 top-five finishes, and 69 top-10s, leading 2,494 laps and earning 13 pole positions. Additionally, Bell collected a non-points victory in the NASCAR All-Star Race, while JGR clinched the inaugural In-Season Tournament, emphasizing their competitive strength heading into the new season.
Denny Hamlin’s Impact and Clash Performance
Denny Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Bob’s Discount Furniture Toyota Camry XSE, has not only been a key figure for JGR but also stands out as a Clash specialist. Hamlin is a four-time Clash winner, taking the checkered flag in 2006, 2014, 2016 at Daytona International Speedway, and most recently in 2024 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. His four victories place him second only to Dale Earnhardt’s six wins on the Clash all-time leader board. In last year’s Bowman Gray Stadium Clash, Hamlin started in third position and led 28 laps before finishing third.
During the 2025 season, Hamlin led all drivers in victories with six wins across various tracks including Martinsville Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Michigan International Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, World Wide Technology Raceway, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His win at Las Vegas marked the 60th of his career, making him the 11th driver to reach that milestone in NASCAR Cup Series history. His season stats boast 14 top-five finishes, 18 top-10s, five poles, and 1,024 laps led, culminating in a strong second-place in the overall standings.
Chris Gayle’s Role as Crew Chief for Hamlin
Chris Gayle, serving his eighth full-time season as a Cup Series crew chief, has been instrumental in guiding Hamlin’s No. 11 team. Across 250 Cup Series starts, Gayle has helped achieve eight wins, 57 top-five finishes, 99 top-10s, nine poles, and 2,167 laps led. His partnership with Hamlin in 2025 marked a breakout year, highlighted by six victories and numerous top finishes. Gayle’s impressive resume extends to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where his teams earned 37 victories, 84 top-fives, and 133 top-10s in 198 starts.
Bob’s Discount Furniture Sponsorship and Race Schedule
Bob’s Discount Furniture is prominently featured on Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota for the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Their sponsorship extends to upcoming races at Phoenix Raceway on March 8, Martinsville Speedway on March 29, Naval Base Coronado on June 21, and Richmond Raceway on August 15. As one of the largest and fastest-growing furniture retailers in the United States, Bob’s operates over 200 store locations across 26 states, aligning with JGR’s strong presence and fan engagement.
Chase Briscoe’s Progress and Clash Experience
Chase Briscoe pilots the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE and has competed in four NASCAR Cup Series Clash races, including three at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and last year’s event at Bowman Gray Stadium. In that recent Clash, Briscoe’s race ended prematurely due to a steering issue, resulting in a 23rd-place finish.
Briscoe’s 2025 campaign marked the best season of his career with multiple personal bests and a third-place finish overall. He won three races at Pocono Raceway, Darlington Raceway’s Southern 500 (his second straight win there), and the playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway. Leading all drivers with seven pole awards, he also recorded 15 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes while leading 884 laps.
Crew Chief James Small’s Leadership of the No. 19 Team
James Small is entering his seventh season as crew chief of the No. 19 team and his second season collaborating with Chase Briscoe. Prior to this, Small spent five years leading Martin Truex Jr.’s car. Small’s career includes 11 wins, 60 top-fives, 106 top-10s, 13 poles, and 4,677 laps led over 217 Cup Series races, highlighting his experience and capability in managing competitive teams.
Bass Pro Shops’ Role as a Leading Outdoor Retailer
Bass Pro Shops, the principal sponsor of Briscoe’s No. 19 car, is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded and led by Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops has earned recognition as a national leader in habitat preservation and outdoor education for families. The company was honored by Newsweek as
America’s Most Trusted Retailer for Outdoor Gear
. This partnership enhances JGR’s connection with a broad outdoor enthusiast audience.
Christopher Bell’s Performance and Upcoming Ambitions
Driving the No. 20 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE, Christopher Bell prepares for his fourth Clash appearance, the second at Bowman Gray Stadium. Bell finished 12th at Bowman Gray last year after starting eighth, and his best prior Clash result was eighth place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2022.
In 2025, Bell achieved his fourth consecutive top-five finish in the season standings. He kicked off the year with three wins in the first four races – at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix Raceway. Bell also triumphed in the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway and added a victory in the Bristol night race during the playoffs. His season totals include 13 top-fives and 22 top-10s.
Christopher Bell’s Role as a Team Owner at the Chili Bowl Nationals
This year, Bell took on the role of team owner at the Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned wins in both the Race of Champions and the A-Main qualifying night, securing his spot in the prestigious Saturday night main event. Starting fifth in the main, Bell finished eighth, showcasing his diverse involvement in motorsports.
Adam Stevens: Veteran Crew Chief for Bell
Adam Stevens, in his 12th season as a Cup Series crew chief, oversees Bell’s No. 20 team. Stevens’ career is decorated with two Cup Series championships (2015 and 2019 with Kyle Busch), 41 wins, 150 top-five finishes, 231 top-10s, 29 poles, and over 10,000 laps led in 384 starts. Under his guidance, Bell’s teams have placed in the top five of the final standings for four consecutive years. Stevens also boasts success in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with 31 wins in 124 starts.
Ty Gibbs’ NASCAR Clash Appearances and 2025 Season
Ty Gibbs, piloting the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE, has made two appearances in The Clash. In 2024, he started third and led a race-high 84 laps but was involved in a late-race crash, finishing 18th. At Bowman Gray Stadium last year, an accident in the last-chance qualifier prevented him from reaching the main event.
Gibbs’ 2025 highlights include five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, and 304 laps led. He notably won the inaugural In-Season Tournament and showcased endurance by leading a career-high 201 laps at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Tyler Allen’s Growing Role as Crew Chief for Gibbs
Entering his second year as crew chief for Gibbs and the No. 54 team, Tyler Allen has already guided the squad to five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, along with over 300 laps led. In 2024, Allen also led JGR’s No. 20 team in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series to eight wins and a close second in the owner’s championship, signaling his strong leadership capabilities.
Anticipating the Clash and Beyond for Joe Gibbs Racing
As Joe Gibbs Racing heads into the upcoming Clash event at Bowman Gray Stadium with a roster of accomplished and determined drivers, the team’s depth and experience bode well for continued success. With Denny Hamlin’s proven track record, Chase Briscoe’s momentum, Christopher Bell’s consistent top finishes, and Ty Gibbs’ evolving talent, JGR remains a powerful contender in NASCAR’s competitive landscape. The team’s connections with leading sponsors such as Bob’s Discount Furniture and Bass Pro Shops further bolster its resources and fan engagement moving forward.
The clash will serve not only as a high-profile exhibition but also as an early barometer for JGR’s form in the 2026 season, where the collaborative efforts of skilled crew chiefs like Chris Gayle, James Small, Adam Stevens, and Tyler Allen will again be critical. Racing fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team converts its past achievements and hopeful optimism into victories in the months ahead.
