Following the on-track clash between Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin at New Hampshire, questions remain about the state of their relationship within Joe Gibbs Racing. The incident continues to stir unrest as Gibbs appeared to respond publicly through social media, highlighting the lingering tension after the race.
Gibbs shared a clip from Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast on his Instagram account, using a hand emoji to draw attention to the subtitles. The caption provocatively asked whether this moment might ruin Denny Hamlin’s 2025 championship hopes, indicating that the event has had significant implications for both teammates.
Details and Reactions to the Race Incident
The conflict occurred after several laps of tight racing between Hamlin and Gibbs, ending with Hamlin forcing Gibbs off the track in what many interpreted as a deliberate move. Denny Hamlin’s frustrations surfaced as he expressed disdain for what he termed “some teammate bulls**t” on the track during the event, emphasizing the intensity of the competition within the team.
Though the incident was initially expected to be managed internally by Joe Gibbs Racing, with team owner Joe Gibbs stating he would allow the drivers to resolve matters on their own, outside voices have urged stronger intervention to prevent any lasting damage.
Calls for Leadership to Address the Conflict
Former broadcaster Steve Letarte stressed the importance of the team owner’s role in deciding how to handle the fallout. He noted,
“I think it really comes down to the owner,”
emphasizing that the opinions of commentators and others are irrelevant compared to the decisions of the person leading the organization.
Letarte continued,
“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 (Burton) 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 likened the situation to other prominent NASCAR team owners such as Rick Hendrick and Richard Childress, reinforcing the idea that those at the top bear responsibility for managing internal team dynamics effectively.
A Strategic Perspective on Team Dynamics
Letarte also addressed the competitive aspect of how teammates interact during a race, suggesting a strategic concession might sometimes be necessary for the good of the team’s championship goals. He remarked,
“I have some opinion, I think it’s important that this has been laid out (in terms of strategy), 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 underscored the need for clear leadership during moments like this, saying,
“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. 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.”
Implications for Joe Gibbs Racing and Championship Prospects
The public nature of Gibbs’ Instagram post suggests the internal discord is far from resolved. With Hamlin pursuing a championship, the team has a critical need to unify and ensure that conflicts do not undermine their overall goals. The incident serves as a reminder that maintaining harmony among teammates is crucial for maximizing performance and achieving success in high-stakes competition.
As this situation develops, team ownership faces pressure to intervene decisively and clarify expectations for all drivers, reaffirming the priority on championship contention and team cooperation moving forward.
https://t.co/FufJNRYIHU pic.twitter.com/uCm65XZCQr
— Dalton Hopkins (@PitLaneCPT) September 23, 2025
