John Hunter Nemechek, competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, shared his perspective on the recent tussle between Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs that occurred last Sunday at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The on-track incident took place during the Mobil 1 301 race as the teammates battled for position, revealing tensions within the team during the event.
Details of the Incident Between Joe Gibbs Racing Teammates at New Hampshire
The confrontation unfolded in Stage 2 of the Mobil 1 301, where Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs were fighting for 11th place. Christopher Bell, another Joe Gibbs Racing driver, was also involved in the battle for position. After roughly ten laps of close racing, contact involving Bell caused Gibbs to spin out, resulting in his third Did Not Finish (DNF) of the season. Hamlin managed to finish in 12th place, while Gibbs was forced out of the race entirely.
John Hunter Nemechek was racing alongside them but did not witness the clash as it happened. It was only after the event concluded that he saw footage and reactions on social media.
“I didn’t see it until post-race on Instagram and Twitter,” Nemechek said. “I was pretty amazed from the teammate standpoint that he ended up wrecking him there.” (17:37 onwards)
John Hunter Nemechek’s Own Collision at New Hampshire
Nemechek’s day at New Hampshire also ended prematurely due to a crash on Lap 148. Driving the No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota, he lost control entering Turn 3 after hitting the bumps on the track, causing his car to spin before slamming into the outside wall. This impact brought out the sixth caution flag of the race.
He was promptly escorted to the infield care center where he was evaluated and later released without serious injury. Despite the setback, Nemechek expressed regret over the crash, especially given the strong performance his team showed in recent weeks.
“I’m good. I hate it for all my guys, we were on a really good stretch the last few weeks,” John Hunter Nemechek said during a post-race interview. “Getting into Turn 3 under the 35, I don’t know if just when I hit the bumps, but it automatically turned sideways, and I was along for the ride. So I hate it. We were making ground on it all day.”
“Getting better track position-wise. Now we’re going home with a wrecked race car. We’ll be back next week at Kansas,” he added.
Season Standing and Upcoming Race for Nemechek
Following this race, John Hunter Nemechek stands 26th in the driver standings with 585 points. His performance at New Hampshire saw him finish 34th in a field of 36 cars, marking another DNF this season. Though he is not in the playoff contention this year, Nemechek continues to pursue his first win in the NASCAR Cup Series for the season.
The next event on his schedule is the Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet at Kansas Speedway, set for Sunday, September 28. The race will cover 267 laps, with coverage available through the USA Network and radio broadcasts on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.
The Broader Impact and Future Outlook
Incidents like the one involving Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Hamlin and Gibbs highlight the intensity and unpredictability of NASCAR team dynamics during critical moments in the race. Meanwhile, John Hunter Nemechek’s crash at New Hampshire shows how challenging the season has been for drivers attempting to break through for victories amid fierce competition. His readiness to return at Kansas demonstrates resilience and determination to improve his results as the season advances.
