Ty Gibbs finally broke his silence on the recent tensions with Denny Hamlin before the Charlotte Roval race, the final event of the NASCARRound of 12. The 23-year-old driver’s responses during a media session sparked controversy, highlighting ongoing strain within Joe Gibbs Racing and drawing mixed reactions from fans.
Gibbs Responds Amid Growing Media Scrutiny
Following his heated clash with teammate Denny Hamlin at New Hampshire last month, Ty Gibbs had largely avoided media interaction. However, ahead of the crucial Charlotte Roval event, he agreed to answer questions about his relationship with Hamlin and the incident itself. The discussion quickly became tense when reporters pressed him about whether he still considered Hamlin like family, as he once described him.
In a sharp retort to one journalist, Gibbs said,
“What do you think? What do you think? How do you think I should feel? I’m asking you. I’m going to reverse the question.”
This unexpected reversal caught reporters off guard and drew attention from viewers covering the event.
When the reporter replied that he viewed the two drivers as brothers, Gibbs acknowledged their history, adding,
“Yeah. I mean, I grew up around all these guys, and I appreciated them a lot, and I want the best for my team as well. So, I think we figured a lot of things out.”
Fans Criticize Gibbs’ Attitude Toward the Media
Gibbs’ tone during the exchange did not sit well with many NASCAR followers on social media, who expressed disappointment and frustration at his unwillingness to engage constructively. One fan commented on the social platform X, pointing out,
“Wouldn’t have had to answer questions like these if he didn’t run away from reporters last week. It would be a non-issue.”
Others mocked the driver’s approach, noting the awkwardness of his defensive attitude. A critic stated,
Image of: Ty Gibbs
“There are many ways he could have answered that. Using the Uno reverse on the reporter was not one of them. It amazes me that, having a man like his grandfather to look up to, he chooses to act like this for everyone to see.”
Some fans voiced even stronger negative opinions about the young driver’s conduct and standing in the series. One harsh comment referred to him as a
“silver spoon kid”
and questioned his maturity, while another wrote,
“Isn’t he out of the playoffs? Why even ask him any questions. He is an immature, little spoiled punk.”
Addressing the On-Track Incident and Team Dynamics
Although Gibbs didn’t provide specific details about his clash with Hamlin, he touched on the nature of aggressive racing, saying,
“I don’t think you’re gonna have getting wreck for sure. You know, I don’t think that that’s ideal, but it happens sometimes, it’s racing, and we’re racing professional Motorsports and cars. And sometimes they’re harder to control at times.”
The #54 driver hinted behind closed doors talks had taken place between him and Hamlin to resolve issues but did not reveal what was discussed. This left many speculating about the true state of affairs within Joe Gibbs Racing, a team already navigating heightened pressure in the playoff round.
Implications for Gibbs and Joe Gibbs Racing Moving Forward
Ty Gibbs’ media clash underscores the tension that can arise in high-stakes competition, particularly among teammates in a top-tier organization like Joe Gibbs Racing. His strained communication with reporters may affect public perception and add pressure as the season reaches its climax at Charlotte. How Gibbs manages his relationships with both media and teammates could shape his career trajectory and influence the team’s cohesion in intense playoff moments.
With the playoffs ongoing, fans and analysts will watch closely to see whether Gibbs can channel this frustration into stronger performances and more composed interactions off the track in the coming races.
There’s many ways he could have answered that. Using the Uno reverse on the reporter was not one of them. It amazes me that having a man like his grandfather to look up to, he chooses to act like this for everyone to see.
