Former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty criticized Joe Gibbs over his response to the recent Ty Gibbs NASCAR feud that unfolded during a playoff race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last Sunday. The tension arose from an intense battle on track between teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, which raised questions about team dynamics and leadership within Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR).
During the race, Hamlin and Gibbs contested fiercely for 11th place over more than ten laps despite Ty Gibbs not being part of the playoffs, while Hamlin was competing for the championship. This aggressive competition between teammates sparked controversy as Gibbs was involved in his third DNF (did not finish) after getting wrecked. Meanwhile, Hamlin finished 12th and earned 28 points, maintaining a five-point lead in the standings inside the playoff cutoff.
Kyle Petty expressed frustration that Joe Gibbs appeared to avoid accountability, pointing to the team owner’s comments which suggested the situation was solely the drivers’ responsibility. Petty questioned Gibbs’ stance, saying,
“What disturbs me is what Joe Gibbs said. He said, it’s not about me, it’s about the drivers. What does that mean? I thought he was ‘Coach’ Gibbs!”
Denny Hamlin, a Tampa native who has accumulated five wins and twelve top-five finishes this season, leads the Joe Gibbs Racing contingent with a solid points buffer after 30 races. His consistent performance includes 15 top-20 finishes and an average finish just under 14th place over 645 laps led.
Analysis of Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin’s On-Track Conflict
The on-track clash caught the attention of NASCAR insiders, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., a two-time Xfinity Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer. During a recent podcast episode, Earnhardt Jr. weighed in on the incident, questioning the necessity of Hamlin’s aggressive move but also referencing Ty Gibbs’ reputation.
“Was it necessary for Denny to wreck him into the wall? Um, nah, probably not, but damn it, gotta look at Ty’s history. He’s not been a great teammate at times.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“I’m have a hard time understanding like what was his what his motive. What was his motive? So Denny is right in saying, ‘Look man, you know, you’re not in the playoffs. we are. You’re our teammate.’ Like, you’ll totally let him go,”‘he added. – Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Hamlin himself called for clarity from JGR’s leadership regarding how teammates should compete during the playoffs, especially when some are playoff contenders and others are not. He stated,
“What I want to happen is leadership (to) step in and tell us, what do you want us to do? If you want us all to just race each other cut-throat, no matter what your position is in the stature of the standings, we can definitely do that.” – Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
Upcoming Race and Fan Expectations
With tensions still high, NASCAR fans are looking ahead to the next playoff race scheduled at Kansas Speedway this Sunday. Expectations are already building around how Joe Gibbs Racing drivers will approach the competition, particularly amid unresolved frustration within the team.
The upcoming race will be broadcast live on USA Network from 3 pm ET, with radio coverage available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, allowing fans to follow every development closely.
The ongoing Ty Gibbs NASCAR feud underscores growing unease around teammate rivalries during crucial playoff moments. How JGR addresses this internal conflict could significantly impact the team’s cohesion and its drivers’ chances as the season reaches its decisive stages.
