NASCAR recently wrapped up the first round of playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway, where Kyle Larson delivered a dominant performance, leading an incredible 462 out of the 500 laps. His victory came as a surprise to many, as Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and Denny Hamlin were expected to be the frontrunners, particularly after the season’s earlier Bristol race, where Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. finished 1st and 2nd in a thrilling photo finish. However, Larson’s commanding run, combined with Chase Elliott’s consistent showing, saw Hendrick Motorsports take the top spot this time around. JGR’s Hamlin secured 4th place, while Christopher Bell finished 5th.
Bristol, however, hasn’t been kind to Joe Gibbs Racing this season. Hamlin’s misfortunes started with an engine penalty after the first Bristol race, and the second race proved equally troublesome, with two of their drivers being eliminated from the playoffs due to speeding penalties. To add to the drama, a video from the recent Bristol race has surfaced, leading to fan accusations that JGR might be cheating.
Joe Gibbs Racing and Their Bristol Struggles
Denny Hamlin had been enjoying a solid season and was in a prime position to claim the regular-season championship before a penalty derailed his chances. During the first Bristol race, Hamlin’s team was hit with an L2-level penalty for violating NASCAR’s engine inspection protocols. As a result, the #11 team lost 75 driver and owner points, along with 10 playoff points. Additionally, Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gabehart, was fined $100,000. The 10 playoff points would have been crucial, potentially allowing Hamlin a smoother playoff journey, but before his strong Bristol finish, he was dangerously close to the elimination zone.
Penalties continued to plague the JGR team. Hamlin’s teammates, Martin Truex Jr. (MTJ) and Ty Gibbs, both faced playoff-ending speeding penalties at Bristol. Truex was running in the top 5 after Stage 2, but a pit lane speeding violation sent him to the back of the pack. He ultimately finished 24th, a lap down, which sealed his elimination from the playoffs. Ty Gibbs, who was running in the top 10, suffered a similar fate. A speeding penalty dashed his championship hopes, and he finished 15th in the race, ending his playoff run.
Cheating Allegations Surface
As if the speeding penalties weren’t enough, Joe Gibbs Racing is now facing allegations of cheating. A video taken during the Bristol race has fans questioning the team’s integrity. In the clip, a camera captures a scene inside the JGR garage, where crew members are seen performing some unclear activity. The video raises eyebrows when one crew member notices the camera, appears startled, and hurriedly wipes his brow in what some fans interpret as a guilty reaction. His surprised response has fueled suspicions, with fans speculating that something underhanded might be going on in the garage.
One particular aspect that has captured fan attention is how the crew member tried to distract the cameraman. The individual, appearing flustered, gestures around the room and seems to be stalling for time, possibly in an attempt to divert attention away from whatever was happening at the time. Fans have taken to social media, calling for NASCAR to investigate the incident. One fan commented, “Yo, bro looks like he was caught red-handed.” Another echoed this sentiment, adding, “They are definitely up to something based on their reactions.”
The lack of audio in the video only adds to the mystery, leaving fans to speculate about what might have been said or done in that moment. One fan expressed certainty that the team was hiding something and called on NASCAR to launch a formal inquiry, tweeting, “@NASCAR he is definitely cheating! And he looked like he’s going to fight the cameraman too.@bobpockrass @jeff_gluck.”
A History of Controversy
This isn’t the first time Joe Gibbs Racing has faced cheating allegations. In 2008, the team was accused of placing magnets on the gas pedals of their cars to prevent the gas from being fully depressed, which would make the cars appear to have less horsepower. Given this history, many fans are unwilling to give JGR the benefit of the doubt in this latest controversy. One fan quipped, “How to Find a Cheater, NASCAR edition.”
Amid the serious accusations, some fans have injected humor into the situation. One sarcastic commenter pointed out that despite the alleged cheating, JGR still couldn’t catch Larson, who dominated the race by leading the most laps ever by any Hendrick Motorsports driver at Bristol. The fan wrote, “Cheating and still can’t catch the 5!”
What do you think about the video? Do you believe something suspicious was happening in the JGR garage? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Fans Cry Foul Play After Joe Gibbs Racing’s Shocking Bristol Discovery
