Losing your ally in the pit box isn't something any driver wants, especially if they helped you win races. The post Joe Gibbs Insider Finally Reveals the Reality Behind Shock Team Shuffle Involving Denny Hamlin appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Joe Gibbs Racing has had quite a shakeup in its structure. In a shocking turn of events, Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gabehart, has been promoted to competition director, which means Chris Gayle will be sitting atop the pit box for the No.

Denny Hamlin said Friday he was "shocked" to learn crew chief Chris Gabehart will move into a new role with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025.

Denny Hamlin did not ask for a crew chief change for his No. 11 team and didn’t see it coming when Joe Gibbs Racing made that decision. “I certainly was shocked by it,” Hamlin said Friday before

Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Chris Gayle will serve as the crew chief for Hamlin’s No. 11 team, with Chris Gabehart being promoted to competition director. Gayle has served as crew chief for JGR's No. 54 team for the past two seasons.

Joe Gibbs Racing announced a pair of changes in advance of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Chris Gabehart, who has served as the crew chief of the No. 11 team for the past six seasons, will become the organization‘s competition director while Chris Gayle,

Chris Gabehart understands on multiple levels why it’s a surprise that he was named competition director of Joe Gibbs Racing and therefore taken off the No. 11 pit box as crew chief for Denny Hamlin.