A heated exchange occurred between Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs during the NASCAR Cup Series race at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 24, 2023. Hamlin felt aggrieved by Gibbs’ aggressive racing tactics, which hindered both his and teammate Christopher Bell‘s performance in the first event of the Round of 12 playoffs. Following a frustrating on-track encounter, Hamlin responded by spinning Gibbs, a move that sparked widespread discussion in the racing community.
Former NASCAR driver and now analyst Kyle Petty weighed in on the incident, particularly highlighting comments made by team owner Joe Gibbs. Petty expressed concern regarding Gibbs’ approach to handling the situation. According to Petty, Gibbs stated, “It’s not about me, it’s about the drivers,” which the analyst found troubling. He remarked, “I thought it was ‘Coach’ Gibbs,” referencing the role of a team leader to mediate conflicts among teammates.
Petty drew from his own experiences in sports, noting that a good coach should foster team unity. He recalled, “When I had a disagreement with a teammate, the coach put his arm around us and urged us to get along.” Petty criticized Gibbs for seemingly allowing the conflict to escalate by not intervening, suggesting that this approach could signal a lack of teamwork within the organization.
The situation raises questions about the dynamics at Joe Gibbs Racing. Petty implied that the relationship between Hamlin, the team’s most successful driver, and Ty Gibbs, the team owner’s grandson, may have influenced Gibbs’ neutral stance. By refraining from taking sides, Gibbs avoided publicly addressing the roles of either driver in the incident, which could have significant implications for team morale and cohesion moving forward.
The incident at Loudon may reflect a deeper issue within the team, as Petty suggested that individual drivers may prioritize personal success over collaboration. The unfolding drama comes at a crucial time as the playoffs intensify, and the need for a unified team becomes increasingly important.
As NASCAR heads to Kansas for the next round of the playoffs, all eyes will be on Gibbs and how he addresses the recent turmoil among his drivers. If he chooses to clarify his position regarding the incident, it could either mend or further complicate the relationships within the team. For now, the focus shifts back to racing, with the hope that the competitive spirit can translate into stronger performances on the track.
