CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Denny Hamlin never saw it coming. He was actually shocked by the decision.
Just days after returning from the season finale at Phoenix Raceway on November 10 and earning an eighth-place finish in the final NASCAR Cup Series standings, Hamlin was summoned to Joe Gibbs Racing and informed Chris Gabehart would no longer be his crew chief.
On Friday, JGR announced Gabehart, 43, will assume the competition director’s role, effective immediately.
Chris Gayle, who guided Ty Gibbs over the last four seasons—including the second-generation racer’s journey to the 2022 Xfinity Series title, will now oversee Hamlin and the No. 11 team.
“He’s been with our company for 20 years,” Hamlin said of Gayle. “He knows all of the tools that the teams use. He’s really just had rookie drivers for the most part over the course of his Cup career. So, I think it will be a welcome change for him and a welcome change for me to go out there a build a new relationship.
“Every relationship has the opportunity to thrive. Certainly, I felt like I had a good one with Gabehart. We had some good success. I’ve won with all of the crew chiefs I’ve ever been with, so I’d expect it to be the same.”
Hamlin did not instigate the change. When asked whether he had input in the selection process of Gayle, he deflected the question, describing the decision as the easy choice. A replacement has yet to be named for the No. 54 team and Gibbs. After a decade of advancing at least one driver to the Championship 4 Race, 2024 marked the first year that Joe Gibbs Racing failed to be represented in the final round of the Playoffs.
For the No. 11 team, the drought has been longer. Although Hamlin and Gabehart won 22 races and appeared in the Championship 4 three times over the last six seasons, the No. 11 team fell short from 2022-2024.
“Ultimately, results are what really matters in our series,” Hamlin said. “Things are always great when results are good and you’re winning and you know can win every single week—and that’s something I’ve had over the last five years. I think it’s easy as long as the results are there.
“I’m very grateful for everything that (Gabehart) helped build with the 11 car and the success that we’ve had. I’m happy for him—and certainly for his promotion. I’m happy for JGR and hopefully what it will bring to everyone else.”
Hamlin feels that Gabehart’s leadership style will suit him well in the new position. He also believes that any restraint to make widespread changes outside of the No. 11 crew chief’s responsibilities will now be lifted.
“They have to do what’s best for the company,” Hamlin said. “I know they’re looking for improvement on performance on the 54 (Gibbs) and I think they’re looking for overall performance for all of the teams, because we certainly haven’t won the amount of races that probably Joe (Gibbs) expected us to and at that point, I think he’s trying to show that he’s making changes to make it better.”
Joe Gibbs Racing scored six wins in 2024. Christopher Bell was the last JGR Toyota to visit Victory Lane–on June 23 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Hamlin’s third and final win came at Dover Motor Speedway in April.
Still, Hamlin remains motivated. He’s already put the wheels in motion with Gayle to return to championship form in 2025.
“For someone at my age, I think the easy answer is, ‘You’re an old dog you’re not going to learn new tricks, you’re not going to want to listen to anyone to do it differently,’ but I’ve made it clear to Chris Gayle that I do not want you to treat me with kid gloves,” Hamlin said. “You need to tell me when I need to improve or there is an area where I’m weak as a driver. I need that feedback.
“I think as long as he’s comfortable with that, we’re going to have a success relationship, because I am very self-aware and I need someone to hold me accountable to be the best out there.”
Follow Lee Spencer on Twitter @CandiceSpencer or email her at: [email protected].
