Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin Confront Each Other In Meeting Ahead of Kansas

After what happened in New Hampshire between Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin, we were all imagining how tense and awkward the JGR team meeting must’ve been afterwards. Well, now we don’t have to imagine it anymore since Denny and Ty Gibbs spoke on it. Well, Ty Gibbs did, but not entirely.

Ty Gibbs vs. Denny Hamlin at New Hampshire

With 60 to go left in the stage, the young ex-Xfinity Series champion Ty Gibbs was racing his two playoff-bound teammates, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell. The two drivers have been two of the best in NASCAR this season and advanced easily to the round of 12. And are overcoming Toyota, having not the best setup for NH to try and win to clinch a spot in the next round to continue their title push.

Ty Gibbs wasn’t in the playoffs, but was trying everything he could to get an excellent result for his hardworking 54 team. Including door-slamming teammate Christopher Bell to defend position. To veteran teammate Denny Hamlin, this was unacceptable, and he said as much on the radio. He even suggested people were scared to talk to him because he was the team owner’s grandson. So he did act his age and be a leader/mentor to young Gibbs.

And talk to reach out to him and understand him better, while getting him to understand his side more? No, he threw a tantrum and wrecked the 54. Ruining not only his day but the day of everyone who worked hard on the 54 team.Which is 1 thing if they’re another on-track rival who you only have to worry about when battling for position. It’s another when you can see the guy in the break room the next day and see how angry he is with you.

Hamlin Admits His Fault

Both drivers were asked about the team meeting they had as they head into Kansas for the next playoff adventure. And both drivers handled it in entirely different ways. Hamlin was as honest and upfront as he usually is, but certainly much more humble than he typically is. “There are things I should have done differently,” he said. “I definitely got too hot under the collar, and it went too far on my end.” So he still holds on to his principles but acknowledges he should’ve gone about it better. With him, we take those small wins.

His teammates and others in the garage shared their thoughts as well. Like Bell, who didn’t cross any lines but made his thoughts very clear. “We shouldn’t wreck each other. That was very clear and blatantly wrong, and hopefully it doesn’t happen again,” Bell said. “I think it was already clear to us before, and we just need to respect each other.” Meanwhile, 2021 champion Larson agreed that there are expectations you have for teammates to treat you better than most. “I think at the end if you’re racing for a win, you’re racing for a win,” Larson said.

“You’re never going to give up a win in a Cup Series for a teammate. But I think if you’re running mid-pack in a stage, yeah, that expectation should be followed.” I think you’re always just looking out for what you can do to make things a little bit easier on your teammates,” he said. “TV probably doesn’t even see the teamwork that happens, but like last week, Alex cut me a lot of breaks at the end of the first stage.” But what about the man at the center of it all, Ty Gibbs?

Why Ty Gibbs Is Avoiding Questions

In a masterclass in the art of question dodging, Ty Gibbs showed everyone how to do it as simply and effectively as possible. As Jeff Gluck reported, Ty Gibbs saw several reporters waiting for him after qualifying and walked to the other side of pit road and noped out of there on a golf cart. Ty Gibbs has never been the biggest fan of NASCAR media, so it’s not surprising, but we’ll get a chance to hear something from him soon. Thanks a bunch for reading!