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

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – After the incident between teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, at Joe Gibbs Racing, calm has returned to the team. Hamlin, who is in the playoffs and competing for his first Cup championship, and Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, had a run-in on the track. Hamlin, apparently, bumped Gibbs because he didn’t get out of his way in New Hampshire. After the contact, Hamlin asked his team radio if the organization was afraid to give orders to the 22-year-old young driver.

I definitely got too heated and went too far

Denny Hamlin

Hamlin, on Saturday, a day before the race at Kansas Speedway, admitted that all parties had the opportunity to express their opinions in the week’s meeting. The three-time Daytona 500 champion did not want to give more details, but acknowledged that he went too far. JGR teammate Christopher Bell indicated that the message was clear and that it was not necessary to explicitly state how Toyota drivers should race at this time of year. There are six races left to crown the Cup champion.

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

Meanwhile, JGR driver Chase Briscoe secured his seventh pole of the year and led the starting grid on Sunday in Kansas. Briscoe and Hamlin, who will start alongside him, will likely run cleanly at the start.

Kyle Larson, from Hendrick Motorsports, believes this is the right thing to do, as Gibbs was racing a title contender who is also his teammate, with too much aggression.

I think in the end, if you’re running for a win, you’re running for a win. You’re never going to give up a win in the Cup for a teammate. But I think if you’re in the middle of the pack in a stage, yes, that expectation should be followed

Kyle Larson

Larson added that the expectations for how Hendrick’s drivers should race are clearly defined and evident on the track each week. He concluded by saying that during the week, Alex Bowman did him a favor and that he hoped Denny felt the same way, as all multi-car teams have had conversations about these expectations.