Denny Hamlin is set to embark on a new chapter in his NASCAR Cup Series journey with a fresh crew chief by his side.
Announced by Joe Gibbs Racing, Chris Gabehart will take on the role of the team’s competition director, while Chris Gayle will step in as Hamlin’s new crew chief.
Having collaborated since the beginning of the 2019 season, Hamlin and Gabehart have proven to be a formidable duo, clinching 23 victories and consistently securing top-eight finishes in the standings over the past six seasons.
Although their partnership saw early success with 13 wins in their first two seasons together, Hamlin finished fourth in the standings both years. Despite Hamlin’s impressive track record of 54 wins and three Daytona 500 triumphs, a Cup title has remained elusive.
The 2024 season saw Hamlin clinch three wins and achieve 18 top-10 finishes, yet his playoff journey was cut short at Martinsville, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the standings following the season finale at Phoenix.
As for Gayle, he brings a wealth of experience as Ty Gibbs’ former crew chief at JGR for the past two seasons. With a longstanding history at JGR dating back to 2013, Gayle previously worked with Erik Jones on the No. 20 car from 2017 to 2020.
Gayle’s tenure as Gibbs’ crew chief in the Xfinity Series in 2022 culminated in seven race wins and an Xfinity Series championship. His leadership has also led to 37 Xfinity Series victories for his teams, showcasing his prowess as a seasoned crew chief. The crew chief for Gibbs for the upcoming 2025 season is yet to be announced.