In the world of NASCAR, loyalty is a highly valued trait. Drivers, teams, and sponsors all rely on each other to achieve success on the track. So when Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, made the decision to shuffle his team at the end of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, it caused quite a stir. One of the biggest changes was the reassignment of Chris Gabehart, Denny Hamlin’s long-time crew chief and collaborator, to a different role within the team. This decision sparked a loyalty crisis for Hamlin, who was forced to pick a side between his team owner and his former colleague.
It’s no secret that Hamlin and Gabehart had a successful partnership. Over the course of six years, they had 22 wins together, including two Daytona 500 victories. So when Gibbs announced that Gabehart would no longer be Hamlin’s crew chief, it came as a shock to many. Hamlin himself was skeptical of the decision, unsure of how it would affect his performance on the track.
But as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season began, it became clear that Hamlin was not going to let this change affect him. He remained focused and determined, determined to prove that he could still be successful with a new crew chief. And that’s exactly what he did.
Under the guidance of his new crew chief, Mike Wheeler, Hamlin had one of the best seasons of his career. He won a total of six races, including the prestigious Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. He also finished in the top five in 19 out of 36 races and made it to the Championship 4 for the first time since 2014. Despite ultimately finishing second in the championship, it was a remarkable season for Hamlin and his team.
But the drama didn’t end there. In 2026, Gabehart filed an $8 million lawsuit against Joe Gibbs Racing, claiming that he was unfairly reassigned and that the team owed him money for past successes. This lawsuit put Hamlin in a difficult position. On one hand, he had a long-standing relationship with Gabehart and was grateful for all they had achieved together. On the other hand, he was still a part of Joe Gibbs Racing and didn’t want to go against his team owner.
In the end, Hamlin chose to remain loyal to his team. He made it clear that he had no involvement in the lawsuit and that he was solely focused on his performance on the track. He continued to have a successful season, winning three races and making it to the Championship 4 for the second year in a row. And once again, he finished second in the championship, proving that he could still be successful with a different crew chief.
Through all the drama and uncertainty, Hamlin remained a true professional. He handled the situation with grace and never let it affect his performance on the track. His loyalty to his team and his determination to succeed were truly admirable.
In the end, the lawsuit was settled out of court and Gabehart left Joe Gibbs Racing. But the impact of this loyalty crisis will not be forgotten. It showed just how important loyalty is in the world of NASCAR and how it can be tested in unexpected ways. And through it all, Denny Hamlin emerged as a true champion, both on and off the track. He proved that no matter who his crew chief is, he has what it takes to be a top contender in the NASCAR Cup Series.
