Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gayle, spoke about almost becoming a member of one other group earlier than taking his present place at Joe Gibbs Racing. Gayle mentioned the chance to guide the #11 group satisfied him to remain regardless of having one other provide on the desk.
Gayle grew to become the Hamlin’s crew chief after Chris Gabehart, the #11 shot caller for six seasons (2019-2024), moved to the competitors director function. Beneath the earlier management, the veteran NASCAR driver received 22 races, together with 13 victories within the first two seasons.
With Chris Gayle now atop the pit field, Denny Hamlin is arguably having one of many strongest seasons of his profession, amassing six victories, probably the most of any driver on the present grid. His momentum continued with a historic win in the Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, securing his spot within the Championship 4.
In an X put up, NASCAR insider Toby Christie reported on the chance Gayle handed up to stick with JGR.
“Chris Gayle says that he had one other provide for a crew chief spot exterior of Joe Gibbs Racing, and had he not been moved to the #11 automobile after Chris Gabehart was moved to competitors director, he was seemingly taking the opposite job,” Christie wrote.
Earlier than turning into Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gayle began as an engineer at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2003. He moved to the crew chief function within the group’s Xfinity Sequence program ten years later and notably received the championship with Ty Gibbs in 2022.
The crew chief change on the #11 group final yr got here as a shock, even to Hamlin himself. However the now 44-year-old driver understood that the choice was made to enhance the group’s total efficiency.
The #11 crew will return to motion at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, however with their Championship 4 spot already secured, there received’t be a lot stress heading into the weekend. Hamlin can be joined within the title spherical by teammate Chase Briscoe, who lately clinched his berth with a win at Talladega Superspeedway.
NASCAR insider favors Christopher Bell over Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe in potential championship combat
NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck argued that Christopher Bell would win over his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe in a battle for the championship. That’s, if Bell may safe a Championship 4 ticket at Martinsville Speedway this weekend.
Talking with Jordan Bianchi on The Teardown podcast, Gluck mentioned:
“If Bell makes it, I feel Bell turns into a favourite of the JGR drivers.”
Gluck additionally defined the risk from different groups, particularly if one of many Staff Penske drivers (Joey Logano or Ryan Blaney) makes the ultimate 4, contemplating the Ford-affiliated group has received the season finale at Phoenix Raceway prior to now three years.
“If a Staff Pensky automobile is in, they’re the favourite for Phoenix. If it is like Larson or Byron or Elliot, I’ve to place the Hendrick Automobile fourth and JGR above them […] Not saying they could not do it as a result of execution-wise, I feel Hendrick at all times finds a means,” Gluck added.
He concluded by saying:
“However speed-wise, you are going to assume, ‘Okay, JGR perhaps has the sting there.’ However, if Bell makes it, I feel I’ve to place Bell over Briscoe and Hamlin.”
Christopher Bell is presently third within the playoff standings with 37 factors, one level forward of Kyle Larson. The drivers beneath the cutline who will enter the penultimate race in a must-win situation are William Byron, Joey Logano (defending champion), Ryan Blaney, and Chase Elliott.
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Edited by Zarec Sanchez
