During last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race at New Hampshire, Denny Hamlin faced criticism over his handling of Ty Gibbs’ racing etiquette, echoing an incident from more than 18 years ago when Tony Stewart confronted Hamlin over similar conduct. This parallel highlights ongoing tensions about on-track behavior among top drivers.
In 2007, at the Pepsi 400 held at Daytona International Speedway, just 14 laps into the race, Stewart and Hamlin found themselves running first and second when Hamlin abruptly brake-checked Stewart exiting turn four. This sudden move led to a collision that wrecked both cars involved.
Tony Stewart’s Frustration at Hamlin’s Move
Stewart expressed his frustration sharply in the aftermath of the crash.
“All of a sudden, he just stops on the exit of turn four in front of 42 cars, and he can’t expect all of us to drive around him,”
Stewart said, as reported by Autosport.
“He just wrecked two really good race cars. He tried to wreck us in practice on Friday and didn’t get it done. At least he finished it off today.”
Adding his perspective on Hamlin’s approach to teamwork, Stewart continued,
“He’s a young guy and he wants to be successful, but I don’t know if he knows what the definition of ‘team’ is right now.”
Resolution Between Stewart and Hamlin Without Owner Intervention
Despite the sharp exchange, Stewart and Hamlin managed to reconcile on their own without involving their team owner, Joe Gibbs. Stewart emphasized the professionalism both drivers maintained following the incident.
“Denny and I can handle anything that happens on the racetrack with each other,”
Stewart remarked.
“We’re both professional drivers and can handle it. Everybody is good, and we’re all focused on doing what we all do every week. We’re over that hurdle.”
Stewart also acknowledged that his temper played a role in his initial reactions after the crash.
“Something happens, you get right out of the car, and a camera is right in your face. You get that pure emotion. I’m the first one to open my mouth before I think about what I’m saying. I’m the king of doing that, as far as saying stuff that I wish I wouldn’t have said.”
Ty Gibbs Faces Similar Challenges with Hamlin at Loudon
Fast forward to the recent race at Loudon, where Ty Gibbs found himself in circumstances reminiscent of Hamlin’s early days. Gibbs was persistently aggressive on the track, hindering both Hamlin and their mutual teammate Christopher Bell, both contenders for the Cup championship. Frustration built as Gibbs repeatedly blocked their advance.
Ultimately, Hamlin’s patience ran out, and he retaliated by deliberately forcing Gibbs into the wall, ending Gibbs’ race for the day. Observers hope that Gibbs, who showed immaturity in his approach, learned from this confrontation as Hamlin had from his own experience years ago.
Hamlin Reflects on His Past Mistakes and Team Impact
Looking back on the 2007 episode, Hamlin admitted he recognized the consequences of his actions after reflecting on the incident for a few days.
“(It’s) tough to go out at all, but with a teammate it’s worse because it affects everyone at JGR, and I hate it for the teams and guys at the shop.”
“Doesn’t really matter how or why it happened, and there is no use pointing fingers. It’s behind us now, we’ll get back to doing what this team does best, run consistently each weekend.”
Parallels Drawn Between Hamlin’s and Gibbs’ Conflicts
Many note how Hamlin’s current issues with Ty Gibbs bear resemblance to his own earlier clash with Stewart, although the situations are not identical. Stewart himself made the comparison during an old broadcast, stating,
“He’s a young guy and he wants to be successful, but I don’t know if he knows what the definition of ‘team’ is right now.”
This observation echoes the challenges faced when a rising driver prioritizes individual success over teamwork, a dynamic that has strained relationships within Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) recently.
Impact and Outlook for Team Dynamics and Racing Etiquette
The incidents involving Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, and Ty Gibbs highlight how aggressive behavior and questions of racing etiquette continue to cause friction among teammates and competitors in NASCAR. As Hamlin and Gibbs navigate these tensions, the importance of balancing competitive drive with respect for team dynamics remains critical.
These conflicts may influence how teams address driver conduct in high-pressure races moving forward, and they underscore the ongoing challenge of maintaining professionalism amidst intense competition.
Not equating these two incidents and saying they're the same at all, BUT the Denny Hamlin/Ty Gibbs spat is interesting in that Hamlin was once on the other end of it with Tony Stewart at Daytona in 2007.
Said Stewart on his old radio spot:
"He's a young guy and he wants to be… pic.twitter.com/Gcmf7GffHo— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) September 23, 2025
