It was widely expected that NASCAR’s return to the legendary quarter-mile short track, Bowman Gray Stadium, would lead to intense racing and flaring tempers heading into the Cook Out Clash. The tight layout and history of rough driving at Bowman Gray all but guaranteed a night of fireworks.

However, one dramatic-looking incident caught the attention of NASCAR Cup Series officials and has been slated for discussion prior to next week’s Daytona 500. The incident occurred during the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), where Ty Gibbs and Justin Haley tangled in a battle for a coveted transfer spot. After minor contact, Gibbs’ No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE spun, leaving the Joe Gibbs Racing driver visibly frustrated.

Gibbs’ Frustration Boils Over in Last Chance Qualifier

Under caution, Gibbs expressed his displeasure by passing alongside Kyle Larson with his No. 7 Fraternal Order of Eagles Chevrolet and deliberately making side contact. What followed was an unexpected and intense sequence—when the two cars touched, their left-front and right-front wheels hooked, causing Gibbs’ car to launch into the air heading into Turn 3.

Denny Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner and one of NASCAR’s most experienced drivers, understands the importance of maintaining composure in high-pressure situations. Both as a competitor and as an ally of Gibbs, Hamlin had the opportunity to share a few words of wisdom before the race. “I just said, ‘All right, don’t lose your…’ and he was like, ‘What do you mean? The car or my head?’ I said, ‘Your head,'” Hamlin shared in a post-race interview.

Hamlin’s advice was straightforward: be prepared to be pushed and shoved around, but don’t let frustration get the best of you. But when the green flag waved, Gibbs seemed to forget his words of wisdom. Following a few spins throughout the race, the young driver reacted in a manner that caused an entirely unnecessary, extremely hazardous wreck with Haley.

While no serious damage occurred, the odd-looking scene quickly caught the attention of NASCAR officials. Neither Gibbs nor Haley qualified to participate in the 200-lap main event and thus missed out on the season’s first exhibition race.

Following the race, Brad Moran, Managing Director of the NASCAR Cup Series, addressed the incident on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, acknowledging the expected level of aggression at Bowman Gray but also making it clear that NASCAR would be speaking with Gibbs before the next race.

“We’re all there, we know it’s a tough place and there’s going to be some aggression and good short-track racing, which is what we wanted,” Moran said. “But I’ll be having a discussion with Ty [Gibbs] before going to the track at Daytona [International Speedway], get his take on what happened, and make sure we’re clear on what we need from that point moving forward.”

Top Comment by Rebelbob

He will be just like Hamlin has been, the «Villain», a Dirty Driver, and a «LOSER». Just an opinion. If...more

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While Moran’s comments confirmed NASCAR’s intent to speak with Gibbs, he would not say if additional disciplinary action—such as a fine or penalty—would be issued before the season-opening Daytona 500. For Gibbs, who enters his third full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series, this moment is yet another reminder that his aggressive racing style continues to attract scrutiny. As he looks to establish himself as a playoff contender, his ability to balance aggression with control will be under the microscope heading into the 2024 season.

With the Daytona 500 fast approaching, all eyes will be on how Gibbs responds both in the NASCAR meeting and on the track at one of the sport’s biggest stages. Nevertheless, there are racers on the horizon who outperform him and, Hamlin is quite impressed with a certain someone’s performance.

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Shane van Gisbergen shows surprising form at Bowman Gray impressing Denny Hamlin

Shane van Gisbergen‘s full-time campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series can finally begin with sincerity. And, considering his run at Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina, it seems he’s also going to make some noise in the stock car racing world. Most of the hype pre-Clash centered around other drivers, but SVG went quietly about his work, demonstrating that his abilities were not limited strictly to road course racing. In his first go on the tight quarter-mile oval, he ran with some of NASCAR’s biggest names, and he finished a respectable ninth. That performance didn’t go unnoticed, especially by veteran driver Denny Hamlin, who believes Van Gisbergen is quickly becoming a force to recon with on all types of tracks.

During the last podcast of his show, Actions Detrimental, Hamlin praised van Gisbergen’s drive while acknowledging some difficulties he went through and how he adapted very well. “I thought he had a good weekend. I thought he did,” Hamlin said. “You didn’t hear much from him, and that’s a good thing, right? He went to a tight oval, something he’s probably not completely used to. However, I think this was a good transition track for him. He’s got some oval experience now.” Hamlin noted how SVG’s Supercars background may have helped him at Bowman Gray, where sharp, technical corners demand precision and adaptability.

Van Gisbergen might have dominated on road courses, but the bigger test will be his ability to compete on a variety of track types—from short tracks to mile-and-a-half ovals. Hamlin thinks the transition will be a while in coming, but SVG is exceeding expectations.

That should be a warning sign to the rest of the Cup Series field. If van Gisbergen can shorten the learning curve on NASCAR’s oval tracks, he could quickly evolve into a serious contender, giving fans a run for their money!

One thing is for sure: Shane van Gisbergen isn’t here to just participate. He’s here to win and his experience backs his claims up.