Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has been a dominant force in NASCAR for years, but recent developments suggest a major shift within the team. With Denny Hamlin losing key sponsors ahead of the 2025 season, NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick has hinted at a power transition within JGR—one that could see Christopher Bell taking over as the team’s new leader.
For two decades, Denny Hamlin has been a key driver for JGR, consistently making the playoffs and competing at the highest level. However, despite his impressive career, a championship has remained out of reach. Now, with FedEx and Mavis Tires pulling their sponsorship, Hamlin’s future with the team is uncertain. Sponsorship struggles have played a major role in past JGR departures, most notably Kyle Busch’s exit in 2022 after losing support from Mars Inc. Could Hamlin be heading down the same path?
During an episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Harvick discussed Hamlin’s situation with NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass. Harvick even suggested that Hamlin could become “Kyle Busch 2.0,” facing a similar fate if JGR fully shifts its focus to Bell. Pockrass noted that while Hamlin is more adaptable than Busch, the growing uncertainty around his career could either help or hurt him.
At the same time, Christopher Bell’s stock is rising within JGR. After securing the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series title, Bell has proven he has what it takes to lead the organization into the future. Harvick believes Bell is being positioned as JGR’s next superstar, especially with Martin Truex Jr. retiring and Hamlin nearing the end of his career.
Harvick pointed out that Bell and Larson’s rivalry could define the next era of NASCAR. With Bell growing more confident and JGR possibly shifting its focus to him, Hamlin’s long-standing role within the team may be at risk.
Unlike Kyle Busch, Hamlin has an alternative—his ownership stake in 23XI Racing. If things continue to shift in Bell’s favor at JGR, could Hamlin move to his own team full-time? With sponsorship struggles mounting and Bell gaining traction, the 2025 season could be a turning point for JGR’s leadership.
