Hamlin slaps down speculation of youth
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Denny Hamlin is NASCAR’s current points leader and locked in at Joe Gibbs Racing with a contract extension inked at the start of his 17th season with the organization.
So when an analyst suggested Hamlin and the JGR veterans should be worried about their job security, well, Hamlin took that personally.
Hamlin slapped down a segment that dissected last weekend’s wins by JGR drivers Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell. Gibbs won the Xfinity Series race in his first career NASCAR national series start, then Bell scored his first Cup Series victory in his second start driving for JGR.
“If I’m a veteran driver in the Gibbs organization, I’m looking over my shoulder and in the rearview mirror because I’m watching my replacement out there win race, win races at the Xfinity level, win races at the Cup level,” said Kyle Petty, an analyst and former driver.
Hamlin initially responded on Twitter then further explained his annoyance in a Wednesday media session.
“I’m not sure who I can equate it to in another sports world, but essentially someone else that’s at the top of their game, and (analysts are) like, ‘Oh, this guy scored 30 off the bench, he’s coming for your starting position,’ OK?” Hamlin said.
It’s worth noting that Hamlin and Petty have had a tense relationship since 2007 when Hamlin, in his second Cup
season, ran into the back of Petty’s lapped car at Dover. An irate Petty leaned into Hamlin’s car and slapped down Hamlin’s helmet visor after chastising the young driver. The two have been cordial, at best, since.
It is not unusual for interest to skyrocket in young drivers following a strong on-track showing. And it is particularly common when it comes to JGR; Toyota has a deep driver development system but has only five seats in the Cup Series to graduate its talent.
Four of those seats are held by Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, and former Cup champion Martin Truex Jr. both signed extensions for the seasonopening race. Two-time Cup champion Kyle Busch signed his latest contract in 2019.
Bell, who is 26, is a longtime Toyota-backed driver who got a Gibbs seat in his second season of Cup racing.
The Toyota pipeline is deep and JGR has a full crop of young talent in the the Xfinity Series with 24-year-old Brandon Jones and Harrison Burton, who is 20. Ty Gibbs, the 18-year-old grandson of the team owner, has entered the picture with his surprise Saturday win on Daytona’s road course.
JGR has never had enough seats to accommodate all the Toyota drivers so the future of the youngsters is a popular ongoing debate. Hamlin took exception, though, to industry insiders suggesting proven veterans should be concerned about their jobs.