In a stunning turn of events, Denny Hamlin, a veteran driver for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), has found himself at the center of controversy following a series of incidents that have rocked the NASCAR Cup Series.

The drama began during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 12, 2025, when Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota Camry experienced a significant setback. On Lap 384, a right-front wheel detached from the vehicle, causing Hamlin to make contact with AJ Allmendinger’s car and bringing out the 13th caution of … This incident led to a two-l … five laps down in 31st … 

The repercussions didn’t end there. Following a one-week deferral, two JGR over-the-wall crew members began serving their two-week suspensions for having a wheel become dislodged during the race and on the track at Bristol Motor Speedway.  This penalty has forced the team to make significant adjustments ahead of their next race at Kansas Speedway. 

Adding fuel to the fire, tensions escalated between Hamlin and teammate Ty Gibbs during the Round of 12 opener at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2025. The two JGR drivers made contact on Lap 111, resulting in a broken toe link on Gibbs’ car, which put him out of the race. Hamlin later explained that he felt Gibbs was “air blocking” and repeatedly “chopping off his nose,” leading to the decisive contact. 

The fallout from this incident has been significant. Joe Gibbs Racing has acknowledged the need for internal changes and clearer communication regarding on-track etiquette, especially as the team navigates the postseason.

The situation has drawn criticism from various quarters. Former NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick expressed concern that Hamlin’s actions could jeopardize his championship bid and destabilize JGR’s playoff prospects. Additionally, NASCAR analyst Kyle Petty voiced his disapproval of Joe Gibbs’ comments following the Hamlin-Gibbs incident, suggesting that the team’s leadership needs to address the underlying issues.

As the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs progress, all eyes will be on Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing to see how they recover from this tumultuous period and whether they can regain their competitive edge.