For years, Chris Gabehart has been one of the sharpest minds inside Joe Gibbs Racing. He’s the one who helped Denny Hamlin turn potential into wins, including a pair of Daytona 500 triumphs and several deep playoff runs. His analytical approach and cool under-pressure style became a cornerstone of JGR’s success.

So when the news broke that Gabehart was being moved off Hamlin’s No. 11 team ahead of 2025, it caught plenty of people off guard. Even inside the garage. But comfort was never on Gibbs’ cards; the decision was about vision. And as it turns out, that bold call may have paid off in more ways than one.

Joe Gibbs explains Chris Gabehart’s transition

Chris Gabehart’s move to become Joe Gibbs Racing’s director of competition in 2025 marked a pivotal moment for both him and the organization. Reflecting on the transition, Gabehart said, “I think for us it’s interesting. It’s not one person ever doing it. It’s a group. All of our people, our management group, make decisions. That was a tough one.” His new role involves overseeing the broader performance of all JGR teams rather than just one, requiring a collaborative leadership approach.

Gabehart and Joe Gibbs share a rich history, particularly with Denny Hamlin. The two began their partnership in 2019 when Gabehart became Hamlin’s crew chief. Together, they won two Daytona 500s and tallied 22 victories over six seasons, consistently competing at the highest level and reaching the Championship 4 multiple times.

However, recent seasons have seen the pairing face challenges, leading to this change of role. Plus, Gabehart’s opportunities to work with other drivers also raised questions about chemistry and compatibility. Reflecting on the transition, given the history between the two, Joe Gibbs explained, “That was not something that was easy for him [Hamlin], but he worked his way through it. Chris did the same thing.”

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Chris Gabehart’s promotion opened the door for Chris Gayle to take over as the crew chief for Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 team in 2025. “Chris Gabehart moving up, you know, also has filled that role for us,” explained Gibbs. Gayle, who had been the crew chief for JGR’s No. 54 team with Ty Gibbs, brought with him a wealth of experience, including leading his teams to several wins and a 2022 Xfinity Series championship. His relationship with JGR dates back to 2003. Over the years, he earned a reputation for strong leadership and adaptability.

In the end, Gibbs’ decision to shuffle roles within his powerhouse organization underscores his belief in long-term growth over short-term comfort. By elevating Gabehart and reshuffling leadership, JGR has positioned itself for sustained success. As Gibbs put it best, the move wasn’t easy. But sometimes, the toughest calls pave the way for the strongest teams.

Joe Gibbs on Chase Briscoe’s rise

Chase Briscoe’s 2025 Talladega triumph wasn’t just a flashy win. Instead, it was the culmination of a season-long process that Joe Gibbs described as a gradual but undeniable ascent. “He was kind of getting a lot out of the car, you know, he and James [Small, crew chief], and I just think it was gradual, but you start seeing it. And certainly he’s got it,” Gibbs said, praising Briscoe’s ability to maximize performance at key moments. Briscoe’s win at Talladega punched his ticket decisively into the Championship 4, validating the consistency and speed he’s shown throughout the year.

Briscoe’s season was marked by impressive qualifying runs that reflected his growing confidence and pace. Starting with poles and near-poles in some early races, he accumulated seven pole positions over the season, showcasing his ability to extract top speed in qualifying trim. His progression from one pole to consecutive ones followed Gibbs’ observation well: “I think it was just a process of working through it, but you start to see a pole, second pole, third, fourth, fifth. After a while, you start to say, ‘Hey, this is something special.’”

Beyond poles, Briscoe combined raw speed with maturation in racecraft, earning multiple wins (3 in total) that bolstered his playoff credentials. His journey from rookie of the year contender to championship threat is a testament to his resilience, strong team dynamics with JGR, and relentless work ethic.

As Briscoe advances deeper into the playoffs, the big question remains: Will he be able to convert this breakthrough season into an overall Cup Series championship? Given his trajectory, team support, and poise under pressure, the outlook is optimistic. Chase Briscoe has positioned himself as a legitimate contender for NASCAR’s top honor in 2025.