Ty Gibbs was forced out of the New Hampshire NASCAR Cup Series race before the conclusion of Stage 2 after teammate Denny Hamlin spun him out, resulting in Gibbs being taken to the infield care center and facing a Did Not Finish (DNF) for the day. The Denny Hamlin Ty Gibbs incident unfolded amid high tension during the NASCAR Playoffs, highlighting the fierce competition and complicated dynamics between teammates.
Incident Between Teammates Escalates on the Track
Denny Hamlin, who is actively contending for the championship, grew increasingly frustrated as Ty Gibbs, not in title contention, held him up on the track for several laps. This impasse culminated in Hamlin spinning Gibbs out, markedly altering the course of the race for both drivers. Gibbs attempted to maintain composure after the incident but could only offer a brief and lighthearted remark about looking forward to the next race.
When asked about Hamlin’s radio communication after the spin, Gibbs responded,
“Yeah. We’ll have a good race next week, looking forward to it.”
Despite this, moments away from the TV cameras, Gibbs was more candid with reporters. Speaking to a gathering of media, including Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, Gibbs said,
“Yeah, but we got wrecked there,”
before adding,
“So, we’ll go see them next week.”
Hamlin’s Frustration Grows Before the Contact
Leading up to the collision, Hamlin’s irritation was clearly audible on the radio, where he urged his team to get a message to Gibbs to align their approach. His frustration was palpable as he exclaimed, “This is some teammate bulls**t,” making his displeasure unmistakable while trailing Gibbs on the track. Despite warning Gibbs with a bump before the spin, Hamlin’s patience ran thin.
The aftermath leaves little doubt that the relationship between these two teammates will be strained. Hamlin’s desire for cooperation in these critical playoff moments clashed with Gibbs’ uncompromising racing style. The clash underscores the difficulty of balancing individual ambition when teammates have differing stakes in the competition.
Conflicting Interests Heighten Tensions During Playoffs
The Denny Hamlin Ty Gibbs incident underscores the challenges within NASCAR’s playoff battles, where veteran drivers racing for championships expect some deference from teammates who are no longer in the hunt. Gibbs’ willingness to hold his ground despite Hamlin’s warnings highlights the volatile nature of intra-team rivalries and the potential for damaging collisions.
With Gibbs expressing a readiness to address the incident in the upcoming race, both drivers appear prepared for further confrontation. Their Monday meeting is expected to be tense as they navigate the fallout from a crash that not only removed Gibbs from contention but also disrupted Hamlin’s pursuit of a playoff title.
Ty Gibbs after the contact with Hamlin … said he got wrecked and he will see them next week. pic.twitter.com/kYaURYviW8
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 21, 2025
The Nos. 11 and 54 get together! @TyGibbs spins and backs it into the wall. pic.twitter.com/Qp9oVyufFF
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 21, 2025
