Joe Gibbs was having a terrific season until the main playoff race at Darlington this past Sunday. #19 driver Martin Truex Jr qualified second in the playoff standings. #20 of Christopher Bell took pole in the starting line-up for the Cook Out Southern 500. And the star of ‘Lady in Black’, Denny Hamlin, won the Xfinity race at Darlington and looked all set to take his 5th cup win at the treacherous tracks. But things obviously didn’t go their way and former driver Kenny Wallace was confident the blame lay squarely at the feet of Joe Gibbs Racing.

Prior to entering Darlington, drivers were worried about the challenging track surface and the tricky corners. They were prepared to brush the walls, that jump out of nowhere during the exit of corners. But Joe Gibbs Racing’s #11 driver Denny Hamlin mastered the confusing maze of the track years ago. Moreover, he secured a win at that racetrack less than 24 hours before. The confidence was visible as he led Stages 1 and 2 without a glitch. So what went wrong?

Kenny Wallace Holds Joe Gibbs Responsible for Denny Hamlin’s Near Race Win

However, on lap 273 of 367, Hamlin noticed issues with the wheels of his Toyota Camry and went to the pit stop for his team to fix the issue. Unfortunately, that middle-of-the-race green light pit stop cost him the lead.

Kenny Wallace, in his YouTube show, was lyrical about Hamlin’s extraordinary skills this weekend. Hamlin’s graceful driving thoroughly enamored him to the former racer.

“This was Denny Hamlin domination. Denny Hamlin leads 177 laps of 367. But we’re talking about the ‘lady in black’, ‘too tough to tame’ Darlington! Shaped like an egg, you go down into turn 1-2, you go real wide—every chance to hit the wall. Denny Hamlin never hits the wall. Goes down the back straightaway, way faster. Turns 3 and 4 are real tight… Denny Hamlin never hit the wall! He has amazing skill…He wins Stage 1, he wins Stage 2.”

Contrastingly, Herman was frustrated with Joe Gibbs’ team for their rookie mistake and did not mince his words in holding them responsible. Finally, Kenny Wallace summed up Hamlin’s race misfortune in one succinct line.

“But when it comes down to the money, Denny Hamlin’s team leaves a lug nut loose…it comes down to that pit stop, right? Loose lug nut, jack drops, air hose, we see it all the time. So, Denny Hamlin is going to win this race and loose lug nut…it’s the damn team that let him down!”

Watch This Story: Martin Truex Jr. Criticises Joe Gibbs Crew in Recent Interview

Moreover, Hamlin’s #11 isn’t the only time Joe Gibbs’ team changed the course of the race’s events.

It Was A Crew Problem Indeed for Joe Gibbs Racing at Darlington

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Christopher Bell won his third pole position of the year after an impressive lap of 169.193 mph. It was a remarkable feat to achieve since he beat all the playoff drivers to present a JGR leading the pack. Disappointingly, the team owner could not return the favor to his drivers. After leading over 30 laps of the Southern 500, the crew team let Bell down at the pit stop.

The #20 Toyota driver lost precious seconds when the crew dropped a jack while they changed his tires. Despite the fact that Gibbs had swapped Bell’s crew with that of Ty Gibbs in order to avoid this very mishap.

NBC commentators during the live race were equally dismayed with Bell’s pit stop. “Crew swap for the 20, first pit stop, not good, very slow. 15 and a half seconds for Christopher Bell and he will lose the lead for sure!”

It was clear that the chaotic pit stop would hamper Bell’s chances. Elaborating upon watching the recap, NBC noted Bell was struggling with crew issues throughout the season. “It has been a pit road nightmare for Christopher. He stops a little long, had to come around the car. Oh, the jack drops on the right side! Now he has to find a way to get the jack back up. Luckily, no damage to the car.”

Unfortunately, Bell could not regain his initial lead and finished 23rd after he made contact at Turn 2 with the wall. Hamlin finished 25th even without hitting walls, as Kenny Wallace pointed out.

Read More: Denny Hamlin’s Contract With Joe Gibbs Racing Could Change NASCAR’s Balance of Dominance

This was not the Joe Gibbs showdown that the team owner must have imagined. He would now seek to rectify these blunders before the next race at Kansas Speedways.