Dale Earnhardt Jr. Slams Hamlin for Dirty Move on Ty Gibbs, But What He Said Next Left Fans Speechless

Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs collided at New Hampshire. The clash between the veteran and the rising star quickly became one of the most talked-about storylines of the season, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. added fuel to the discussion with his candid reaction. His take provided fans with insight into the balance between aggressive racing and unnecessary conflict on the track.

The Incident at New Hampshire: What Happened

During the NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire, Hamlin and Gibbs were racing aggressively for position. The two found themselves locked in battle for 11th place when tensions boiled over on Lap 110. In that moment, Hamlin’s No. 11 car made contact with Gibbs’ No. 54 Toyota, spinning Gibbs into the wall. The crash ended Gibbs’ day and left his team scrambling to deal with the aftermath.

Hamlin’s radio chatter revealed his immediate frustration with Gibbs’ moves on the track. It was clear that Hamlin felt Gibbs had been cutting across his nose in traffic, and the resulting contact appeared to be a case of a veteran driver sending a message to a younger competitor.

Hamlin’s Side of the Story

On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin gave his version of the incident. He admitted that he was trying to move Gibbs up a lane but denied deliberately wrecking him. According to Hamlin, Gibbs made a defensive move that disrupted the balance of his car.

Hamlin explained that when a driver cuts across the nose of another car, it creates turbulence that can make the trailing car unstable. In this case, he felt Gibbs was trying to shut the door too aggressively. Hamlin said he attempted to push Gibbs into the next lane to give himself room but instead spun him out.

From Hamlin’s perspective, it was the product of hard racing rather than a calculated act of retaliation. Still, the optics of spinning out a teammate are never easy to defend in the NASCAR garage.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Reaction

Dale Earnhardt Jr., a voice respected by fans and drivers alike, shared his perspective on the incident. He acknowledged that everyone watching understood the competitive situation, but he emphasized that Hamlin could have avoided spinning Gibbs.

Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that while Hamlin did not need to make that move, Gibbs’ driving style has created friction before. He referenced past conflicts, such as Gibbs’ aggressive tactics at Martinsville against Brandon Jones, as part of a broader pattern. According to Earnhardt Jr., this history plays a role in how the NASCAR community perceives Gibbs and the fallout from this latest clash.

Earnhardt Jr. also highlighted the larger issue for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). With Gibbs not in playoff contention, the risks of racing his own teammate so aggressively do not benefit the team as a whole. In fact, Earnhardt Jr. argued that it potentially damages JGR’s reputation and disrupts harmony within the organization.

The Fallout in the NASCAR Standings

The immediate aftermath of the New Hampshire race told two very different stories. Denny Hamlin managed to recover from the incident and finish 12th, keeping himself firmly in fifth place in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff standings. His championship aspirations remain strong despite the controversy.

Ty Gibbs, on the other hand, saw his race end prematurely. Still searching for his first Cup Series victory, Gibbs lost valuable track time and momentum. For a young driver trying to establish himself, this kind of setback only intensifies scrutiny.

The Impact on Joe Gibbs Racing

The clash between Hamlin and Gibbs brings team dynamics at Joe Gibbs Racing into sharp focus. Teammate rivalries are not new in NASCAR, but when drivers under the same banner collide, it raises difficult questions for the organization.

Internal trust is at stake. If drivers believe their own teammates might spin them out, cooperation becomes harder during strategy calls, pit cycles, or drafting situations. Public perception is another concern. Fans and media may see the incident as a sign of dysfunction at JGR, which can overshadow on-track performance. Finally, championship strategy could suffer. Hamlin is one of JGR’s best hopes for a title, and incidents like this increase the risk of derailing a playoff campaign.

Looking Ahead for Hamlin, Gibbs, and JGR

The New Hampshire spin leaves the team facing key challenges. Gibbs’ aggressive approach will need refinement if he wants to mature into a consistent contender at the Cup level. Hamlin, meanwhile, must focus on maintaining momentum for the playoffs while avoiding unnecessary controversies that could derail his campaign.

For Joe Gibbs Racing, leadership may need to establish clearer boundaries and expectations for how teammates compete against one another. Preventing further conflicts will be crucial as the season progresses and the pressure of the playoffs intensifies.

A Moment That Could Define the Season

The confrontation between Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire was not just a racing incident but a glimpse into the ongoing challenges of balancing competitiveness, teamwork, and reputation in NASCAR. While Hamlin insisted the move was not intentional, Dale Earnhardt Jr. highlighted that it could have been avoided and underscored the risks such clashes pose for Joe Gibbs Racing.

As the 2025 Cup Series season continues, this moment may serve as a turning point for both drivers and their team. How Hamlin, Gibbs, and JGR handle the fallout will go a long way in determining whether the focus stays on chasing a championship or on managing internal conflict.