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

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Following last week’s incident between teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, calm has returned to Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin, who is in the playoffs, and Gibbs, grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, had a run-in in New Hampshire, where Hamlin collided with Gibbs. Hamlin is competing for his first Cup Series championship, while Gibbs is not eligible for the title. After the contact on the track, Hamlin asked his team radio if the organization was too afraid to give team orders to the 22-year-old young driver.

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

Denny Hamlin

Hamlin admitted that “there were things he should have done differently” during this week’s competition meeting, where everyone had the opportunity to express their opinions. Christopher Bell, JGR teammate, stated that the message was clear about how Toyota drivers should race each other at this time of year. There are six races left to crown the Cup champion.

We shouldn’t crash into each other. 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, Chase Briscoe, a JGR driver, secured his seventh pole of the year and will lead the grid on Sunday in Kansas. Briscoe and Hamlin will likely race cleanly at the start. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver, believes it’s the right thing to do. Gibbs was racing too hard with a title contender who happens to be his teammate at a point too early in last week’s race.

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 Series for a teammate. But I think if you’re running mid-pack in a stage, yes, that expectation should be followed.

Kyle Larson

Larson said that the expectations on how Hendrick’s drivers should race among themselves are clearly defined and are evident on the track every week. Larson added that his team is always attentive to what they can do to make things a little easier for their colleagues.