Denny Hamlin Overlooks Consequences of Chris Gabehart’s Sudden JGR Exit
Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has shared his thoughts on the exit of his long-time crew chief from his team ahead of 2026.
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Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart (Via IMAGO)
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The Denny Hamlin–Chris Gabehart partnership is one of the most successful one in the NASCAR history, as they duo was the front runners for the championship fir six straight years till 2024, winning 22 races together. Ahead of the 2025 season he was suddenly promoted to JGR competition director role, with Chris Gayle taking over the reign of the No:11 team.
Joe Gibbs Racing once again shocked the fans, as in 2025 December it was announced that that Chris Gabehart will exit the team. Many expects this affect the overall performer of JGR cars, but Denny Hamlin doesn’t think so. Though he lost one of his biggest supporters, he knows that the team has good executives to take over the role.
It’s a little different. I’m used to having Chris (Gabehart) there. But we also have the experience of Wally Brown that’s been in that role as competition director in many of the heyday years of JGR and their performance. I think he can step in there and do the role.
Denny Hamlin said during Bowman Gray media session.
He highlighted how Wally Brown, the replacement of Gabehart is one of the very best in the sport and highlighted how the veteran has always been part of the sport. The former was with the team observing the latter the whole of 2025 season and is now seem ready to take over the role.
He never left; he was always in those competition meetings. So, he can just kind of pick up that quarterback role. I think that he got to observe some things that Chris Gabehart did last year that he can refine.
Denny Hamlin added.
Furthermore, Hamlin pointed out that Brown will be taking over from where he left the team and will be leading the sport in the positive direction. The three times Daytona 500 champion has confidence in the Toyota team’s depth.
Even he admittedly said that I think that was a good direction and pick up from where he left off. So, I’m confident that JGR can have so much depth within the race team that they can find a way to make it work.
Denny Hamlin asserted.
Denny Hamlin gives a bold outlook on the 2026 season
In the same media session, the No:11 Camry driver shared his thoughts on the upcoming 2026 season, with the new championship format forcing drivers to take new approaches. He asserted that the new format means he can either have a good season or bad one, as there is no middle road, and asserted that the results will be up to him.
This season for me could certainly go one of two ways. And I think there’s not much of a middle road there. It’s going to go really one way or really the other way. And it’s up to me which way I decide to turn.
Denny Hamlin said.
The comments from the veteran racer seems to be on point as he will have to remain in his usual consistency, while securing more wins. It would be interesting to see of the format change can finally earn him the title he has been chasing for two decades.
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