The Next Gen era hasn’t been kind to Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). While Christopher Bell has managed to make the Championship 4, the rest of the JGR stable—Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., and Ty Gibbs—have fallen short. Meanwhile, Team Penske has been running circles around them, clinching three consecutive titles and proving that they’ve cracked the code on winning when it matters most.
Now, heading into 2025, JGR is making massive structural changes—some expected, some shocking. But the biggest twist of all? Denny Hamlin will no longer have Chris Gabehart atop the No. 11 pit box.
Hamlin Stunned by Gabehart’s Departure—Can He Thrive Without Him?
For Denny Hamlin, losing Chris Gabehart is a gut punch. The duo won two Daytona 500s, a Southern 500, and made three Championship 4 appearances together. Even though Hamlin hasn’t sealed the deal in the Next Gen era, many believed that if he were ever going to win a title, it would be with Gabehart.
Now? That dream is gone.
“There’s nothing I can do to change anything that happened, and JGR is doing what they feel is best for them, and I totally understand that,” Hamlin said.
But understanding the decision doesn’t make it easier. Gabehart has been moved into a competition director role, and in his place, Chris Gayle steps in as Hamlin’s new crew chief. While Gayle is a solid talent, stepping into the massive void left by Gabehart won’t be easy—and that raises some serious questions:
- Can Hamlin build strong chemistry with Gayle in just one season?
- Will JGR’s strategic overhaul elevate the No. 11 team—or set them back?
- Is this a last-chance season for Hamlin to finally capture that elusive Cup title?
Hamlin was already facing immense pressure to deliver in 2025. Now, as JGR’s most experienced driver, that pressure just got even heavier.
Chase Briscoe’s Uncertainty: A Bold Move or a Major Gamble?
If the No. 11 team’s changes are raising eyebrows, then the No. 19 team’s overhaul is even riskier.
With Martin Truex Jr. stepping away, Chase Briscoe takes over the No. 19 Toyota—a move that could either be a masterstroke or a complete disaster.
Briscoe was a force in the Xfinity Series, winning nine races in 2020, but his Cup Series track record is shaky at best:
- Only two wins in four seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing
- Never finished higher than ninth in the standings
- Struggled with consistency and top-tier results
One could argue that SHR’s declining performance held Briscoe back, but switching to JGR and Toyota comes with massive expectations. If he doesn’t perform quickly, the pressure will mount fast.
Adding to the uncertainty? James Small remains Briscoe’s crew chief—the same James Small who struggled to get Truex’s No. 19 Toyota back in victory lane since July 2023.
This isn’t just a learning curve for Briscoe—it’s a test for Small, too.
Is JGR Taking Too Many Risks at Once?
The 2025 season could define JGR’s future. On one hand, they’re taking bold steps to stay competitive. On the other, they’re making some of the biggest changes at the worst possible time, when other teams like Penske and Hendrick Motorsports continue to refine their winning formula.
With Hamlin adapting to a new crew chief and Briscoe facing the biggest challenge of his career, JGR’s season could go one of two ways:
- Their changes pay off, and they finally reclaim their place as Cup Series title contenders.
- The shake-up backfires, and 2025 turns into another frustrating season of missed opportunities.
Can Hamlin Win Without Gabehart—or Is JGR Setting Him Up for Failure?
Hamlin has come painfully close to a title before, only to fall short. But without Gabehart, the question remains—will this change push him forward or knock him back?
One thing’s for sure: JGR’s 2025 season will be a make-or-break year—and for Denny Hamlin, it could be his last, best shot at a Cup championship.