Denny Hamlin Recalls the Only Incident Where Coach Joe Gibbs Yelled at Him

NASCAR team owners are known to have a sweet-sour relationship with the drivers. In certain teams, the owners make all necessary decisions and focus solely on financial interactions. But the realm of motorsports is different. In NASCAR, team owners share the excitement and actively engage themselves, drawn by the thrill and action. More so if the owner himself is a legend of that particular sport.

If anything goes south at a time, like drivers going against each other and damaging team cars, the bosses are entitled to show their emotions. Similarly, Joe Gibbs established a team relentlessly pursuing excellence in every race. JGR Superstar Denny Hamlin witnessed a similar situation from his team owner-cum coach Joe Gibbs.

Joe Gibbs asked Denny Hamlin to pay for a damaged car!

Joe Gibbs Racing stars Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, and Martin Truex Jr sat down for an interview ahead of their Texas schedule. Denny was asked to recall an incident where his coach was mad at him. Hamlin comes up with a hilarious incident. The incident dates back to Daytona 2019, when Gibbs asked his drivers not to practice against one another to prevent car damage. Denny Hamlin, being Denny Hamlin, did not listen to him and, in the process, wrecked his car. An angry Joe Gibbs asked him to pay for it.

“Daytona 500, 2019. He specifically told us do not practice in a group, because he didn’t want to risk tearing up the cars. I practiced with my Toyota teammates, and then there was a pack out there and he’s like, ‘Who’s just going to, I just need to see what he’s going to do at the very tail of this pack.’ There was a crash. Someone came home behind me and got me into it. Wrecked the car. He said, ‘You are paying for that car. Every nickel.‘ He told me, ‘You’re paying for it. I’m not paying for this car. You’re paying for it. I said it.’ Yes, sir,” said a shocked Hamlin.

The behavior of Joe Gibbs took Denny Hamlin aback. Eventually, that was the first time his coach yelled at him. Martin Truex Jr jokingly interrupted, admitting their fear and wondering about Denny’s next move. Luckily for Hamlin, he ended up winning the Daytona race a couple of days later. “Imma let you slide on that one,” said a still-mad Joe Gibbs.

Joe Gibbs and his No. 11 share a different bond

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Over the years, Denny Hamlin has cultivated a significant professional bond with Joe Gibbs, the founder of Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin never missed out on an opportunity to display respect for Coach Gibbs. They are indeed so close that Hamlin publicly brings out their debates that keep happening in the locker room and in team meetings.

Hamlin holds Gibbs’ leadership and diligence in high regard, and #11 often highlights Gibbs’ dedication as the first to arrive and the last to depart, tirelessly striving for team enhancement. By mentoring Joe’s grandson and his teammate Ty Gibbs, Denny Hamlin demonstrates his dedication to nurturing the racing lineage and honoring the Gibbs family’s legacy.

The synergy between Hamlin and Gibbs is characterized by mutual respect and concerted efforts, driving the team toward NASCAR prominence. Hamlin’s recent renewal of a multi-year contract with Joe Gibbs Racing is proof of their enduring and robust professional alliance.