The Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) stable is undergoing a seismic shift as Denny Hamlin’s longtime crew chief, Chris Gabehart, steps into a new role as competition director—a move that could redefine the team’s championship trajectory.
For years, Hamlin and Gabehart were one of NASCAR’s elite driver-crew chief duos, racking up 22 wins together, including two Daytona 500 victories and a Southern 500 triumph. But despite their early dominance, the arrival of the Next Gen car saw their championship race streak come to an abrupt halt. That stagnation forced JGR’s hand, leading to Chris Gayle replacing Gabehart as Hamlin’s new crew chief and Gabehart being elevated to a position overseeing all four JGR teams.
While Hamlin fans were outraged over the split, Christopher Bell sees this as a game-changing move for JGR—and for himself.
Christopher Bell: The new JGR leader?
Bell, arguably JGR’s most consistent driver in the Next Gen era, is thrilled to have Gabehart’s expertise spread across the entire team. In an interview with Bob Pockrass, the 2024 three-time race winner explained why this shift could be JGR’s ticket back to championship dominance.
“I felt like he was an amazing crew chief, a super smart individual, and I’m excited about him in his new role. Because I think he really can specifically help the 20 car and overall help the company to where all four of our cars will be performing better.”
Unlocking the No. 20 car’s full potential
One of the biggest advantages? Shared data.
Gabehart’s deep understanding of race strategy and car setups could provide a massive boost to Bell’s No. 20 team, particularly at short tracks and intermediate ovals—where Hamlin’s No. 11 team has excelled.
“Before, he was only focused on the 11; now, he’s going to be focused on all the cars,” Bell pointed out.
Take Kansas, for example—a track where Hamlin has consistently been one of the best in the field. With Gabehart in his corner, Bell believes he can finally close the gap on his JGR teammate and make those crucial incremental gains on the competition.
Bell’s quiet but dominant 2024 campaign
While Kyle Larson stole the spotlight in 2024, Bell was arguably just as consistent—if not more so.
- Three regular-season wins at Phoenix, Charlotte, and New Hampshire.
- Multiple runner-up finishes in the playoffs at Charlotte Roval and Las Vegas.
- P7 or better in nearly every playoff race, barring setbacks at Watkins Glen and Martinsville.
- Could have made Phoenix without the Martinsville controversy.
Had it not been for a chaotic Martinsville race filled with desperate moves and race manipulation, Bell could have secured his third straight Championship 4 appearance.
Can Bell lead JGR back to championship glory?
While Denny Hamlin remains the veteran face of JGR, Bell has quietly become the team’s most consistent force in the Next Gen era. His 2024 performance, combined with the added brainpower of Gabehart overseeing JGR’s entire program, could be the missing piece in the team’s title quest.
Hamlin fans might not want to hear it, but Bell is positioning himself as JGR’s best shot at a Cup Series championship in 2025. And with Gabehart now strategizing for the entire organization, the No. 20 team might finally have the edge it needs to close the deal.
Will Bell be the driver to bring JGR back to championship glory? One thing’s for sure—he’s got the tools, the talent, and now, the backing of one of the sport’s most brilliant minds.