Mediator Denny Hamlin Fails to Attain Peace Between Joey Logano and Joe Gibbs’ Grandson Ty

The simmering feud between Joey Logano and Ty Gibbs boiled over once again at the 2024 Busch Light Clash. The two drivers, separated by a decade in age and experience, ‘clashed’ at the L.A. Coliseum, reigniting a rivalry that began last season in Martinsville, where Logano spun Gibbs.

The hard feelings boiled over on the last restart of the exhibition last weekend when Gibbs’s aggressive maneuvering on Logano (P4) handed Denny Hamlin his fourth ‘Clash’ victory. Joey Logano, a 2-time champion with years of experience, certainly expects respect, while Ty Gibbs, the young gun, hungry to live up to his illustrious family name, tests his limits with bold tactics. This difference in approach has resulted in several on-track incidents, each fanning the flames of their budding feud.

From Teammate to Coach to Rival to Mediator of an Ongoing Feud

Denny Hamlin, however, witnessing the clash from his unique vantage point, assumed the role of mediator. A former teammate of Joey Logano and now a mentor to Gibbs at Joe Gibbs Racing tried to find common ground when acknowledging Joe Gibbs’ grandson’s mistake while also holding Logano accountable.

The #11 driver said, “When I say mistake, he tried to turn; he tried to hold it low. I did see Joey crowd him… He didn’t leave the young guy very much room for error, in my opinion.” Denny Hamlin continued to emphasize the neutral nature of the situation on his Actions Detrimental podcast, stating, “I think Ty has a legitimate argument, and upon talking to Joey about this a little bit, I was kind of the middle man.”

After their infamous incident at Martinsville, Joey Logano felt hopeful after discussing with Joe Gibbs’ grandson to sort things out: “I thought, ‘Man, that was pretty cool.” He was very humble. We had a good conversation about it.” That optimism was dashed, though, by the renewed aggression at the Clash, as he said, “Only for the first opportunity for us to race each other since that conversation to get completely used up on the restart… His words don’t mean anything to me anymore.” This statement indicates Logano’s growing frustration with Gibbs just days before the Daytona 500.

Watch This Story: Logano’s Controversial Step: A Power Play Or A Misstep?

Joey Logano added, “I don’t know how to handle it from here,” as he struggled to make sense of the circumstances. Yet, displaying a glimmer of appreciation despite all the frustration, the 33-year-old stated, “The kid’s talented… He’s fast… I don’t know how to earn respect of the kid.”

A Rivalry Spanning 10 Years: The Joey Logano Story

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Nobody will fail to see the irony in the Logano-Gibbs rivalry, especially in light of Logano’s connection with Joe Gibbs Racing. The driver with whom he is currently at odds is the grandson of the owner of the very same team that fired him twelve years prior, and Denny Hamlin, a former teammate, is now acting as the mediator.

2009 saw Joey Logano join JGR, replacing Tony Stewart’s seat in the #20 car. Although he was inconsistent in his early years, he showed a lot of promise. After two losing seasons in a row in 2012, JGR decided to go with seasoned competitor Matt Kenseth, which left Logano without a ride. Logano later reflected on the devastating blow he had received, saying, “If I had enough God-given talent, I wouldn’t have gotten fired.”

Read More: NASCAR Veteran Brutally Trashes Joey Logano as He Defends Joe Gibbs’ Grandson in Clash Drama

Unfazed, Logano found a savior in Team Penske. The change turned out to be radical for Logano. Under Roger Penske’s guidance, he flourished, winning his first Cup Series title in 2018 and a second in 2022. Once a bitter pill to swallow, getting fired ended up being the spark for his future accomplishments.

The question of whether Joey Logano and Ty Gibbs can find common ground or whether their feud will escalate remains unanswered. Nevertheless, the 2024 season promises to be a thrilling spectacle. Stay tuned.