Denny Hamlin Shocked by JGR’s Decision to Remove Chris Gabehart as Crew Chief
In 2018, Denny Hamlin faced a career low, going winless for the first time since his full-time Cup Series debut in 2006. That all changed when Chris Gabehart joined as the crew chief for the No. 11 team from Joe Gibbs Racing’s (JGR) Xfinity program. Despite being new to NASCAR’s top tier, Gabehart proved instrumental in revitalizing Hamlin’s career, a partnership Hamlin trusted deeply.
“When he joined the No. 11 team, there was never a sit-down moment with Denny and me to discuss feelings about the arrangement,” Gabehart recalled. It wasn’t until a lunch meeting that Gabehart realized how competitive Hamlin truly was. “When you look at where he was in his career, this was a make-or-break relationship for him,” Gabehart explained. That trust paid off, leading to 22 victories together, including 13 wins in their first two seasons.
This partnership, one of the strongest in NASCAR, has now ended. Without consulting Hamlin, JGR announced that Gabehart would be reassigned as the team’s competition director, a move that left the veteran driver stunned. “I certainly was shocked. That’s all I’ll say,” Hamlin admitted.
A Game-Changing Partnership Ends
Since Gabehart joined, Hamlin ranked second in wins (22) and laps led (6,072) in the series and qualified for the Championship 4 three times. This dominance seemed like the perfect formula for capturing Hamlin’s elusive Cup title. However, the decision to replace Gabehart with Chris Gayle, another seasoned JGR crew chief, has cast doubt on Hamlin’s future success.
“Denny’s got fewer years ahead of him than behind him. He doesn’t want a complete rebuild,” Gabehart remarked about the challenges of such a late-career adjustment.
Even Eric Estepp, a NASCAR expert, questioned the move. “Denny Hamlin is now 44 years old, and JGR didn’t even consult him before making this decision! He’s at least owed that,” Estepp said on his YouTube channel. He warned that this change could either reignite Hamlin’s career or push him closer to retirement.
Denny Hamlin’s Determined Outlook
Despite the shock, Hamlin is working to adapt. “Someone of my age, the easy assumption is, ‘you’re an old dog,’” Hamlin explained. “But I’ve made it clear to Chris Gayle that I don’t want kid gloves. I need feedback to stay sharp and competitive.”
Gayle, who has worked with rising stars like Erik Jones and Ty Gibbs, acknowledged the challenge ahead. “This is a great opportunity, but I understand how JGR and the No. 11 team operate. Hopefully, my experience will make the transition seamless,” Gayle said.
A Bleak End to the Season
The decision to reshuffle leadership comes after a lackluster second half of the season for JGR. Since Christopher Bell‘s victory at New Hampshire in June, the team failed to secure another win. Hamlin himself commented on the hiring of Gayle, stating, “I think they’re looking for improvements from all teams. We haven’t had the number of wins we should as an organization.”
A New Era Begins
As Gabehart steps into his new role and Hamlin prepares for a fresh dynamic with Gayle, the NASCAR world will be watching closely. Will this change reinvigorate Hamlin’s career or hasten its end? Only the 2025 season will tell.
For now, Hamlin remains focused, juggling his responsibilities with 23XI Racing and the ongoing NASCAR lawsuit, determined to make the most of the twilight of his career.
