Denny Hamlin may have a brand new crew chief as he continues his quest for a NASCAR Cup Collection title.
Joe Gibbs Racing introduced Friday that Chris Gabehart would change into the workforce’s competitors director and that Chris Gayle would change into Hamlin’s crew chief.
Gabehart had been Hamlin’s crew chief for the reason that begin of the 2019 season and the 2 had fashioned some of the profitable driver-crew chief pairings in NASCAR. Over the previous six seasons, Hamlin gained 23 races and by no means completed decrease than eighth within the standings.
Hamlin gained 13 races of their first two seasons collectively however completed fourth within the standings every season. The 44-year-old is probably the most profitable driver in NASCAR Cup Collection historical past with no Cup title. Hamlin has 54 wins and three Daytona 500 victories, however he’s solely completed second within the factors standings as soon as.
In 2024, Hamlin gained 3 times and had 18 prime 10s however was eradicated from the playoffs within the penultimate race of the season at Martinsville. He ended up ending eighth within the standings after an Eleventh-place end at Phoenix.
Gayle has been Ty Gibbs’ crew chief at JGR for the previous two seasons. A longtime JGR crew chief, Gayle has labored with the workforce in varied capacities for the reason that 2013 season. He was Erik Jones’ crew chief on the No. 20 automotive from 2017-2020.
Gayle served as Gibbs’ crew chief within the Xfinity Collection in 2022 as Gibbs gained seven races and the Xfinity Collection title. Jones has two Cup Collection wins with Gayle as drivers have scored 37 wins within the Xfinity Collection on Gayle’s groups. No crew chief for Gibbs for the 2025 season was introduced.
