Hamlin and Gibbs: Tension at Joe Gibbs Racing after on-track crash

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Following the incident between teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, calm has returned to Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin, who is competing in the playoffs for his first Cup Series championship, and Gibbs, grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, had an altercation on the track. Hamlin, after contact, questioned on the radio whether the organization was afraid to give team orders to the young driver.

I definitely got too heated and went too far on my part.

Denny Hamlin

Hamlin admitted that he went too far and that there were things he could have handled differently. Christopher Bell, JGR teammate, stated that the message about how Toyota drivers should compete with each other at this stage of the year was clear, without needing to be expressed.

We shouldn’t crash. That was very clear and obviously incorrect and I hope it doesn’t happen again. I think it was already clear to us before, and we just need to respect each other.

Christopher Bell

Chase Briscoe, JGR driver, earned the pole position for Sunday’s race in Kansas, his seventh of the year. Briscoe and Hamlin will share the front row. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver, believes it’s important for Briscoe and Hamlin to race cleanly at the start of the race. Larson pointed out that Gibbs was racing aggressively against a title contender, who was also his teammate.

If you’re fighting for a win, you’re fighting for a win. You’re never going to give up a win in the Cup Series for a teammate. But I think if you’re in the midfield in a stage, yes, that expectation should be followed.

Kyle Larson

Larson explained that the expectations of how Hendrick’s drivers should compete with each other are clearly defined and are evident on the track every week. He also mentioned the teamwork that is often not seen on television.