Incident Involving Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin Marks Turbulent Day at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
At New Hampshire Motor Speedway, tensions flared between Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin during Sunday’s race, culminating in a significant incident on lap 110. Gibbs, while defending 11th position, was involved in a collision that resulted in him hitting the wall.
The conflict began to escalate earlier in the race as Hamlin struggled to pass Gibbs. Radio communication from Hamlin expressed growing frustration, questioning Gibbs’ awareness of the championship stakes: “Does Ty know we’re racing for a championship? What the [expletive]?” This followed shortly after Hamlin lost the 12th position to Christopher Bell.
The critical moment occurred when Hamlin advanced on Gibbs, running him high in turns 3 and 4 before making contact again in turns 1 and 2, leading to the wreck. Gibbs responded to post-race inquiries about the incident cautiously, stating, “It’s unfortunate… I’m excited to go race next week.”
Hamlin’s frustration was evident on his team’s radio after the collision, questioning Gibbs’ actions, “What the [expletive] is he doing?” Amid preparations for a pit stop, he remarked, “Are they afraid to talk to him? That’s what I feel like. They’re just scared of him.”
Following the crash, Gibbs returned to the race after repairs but ultimately retired due to sustaining additional damage. His final comment on the radio, “Game on,” suggests readiness for future competition despite the turmoil.
This incident underscores the intensity of intra-team dynamics as both drivers navigate the pressures of contention in the current championship landscape.
