Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) had an impressive showing throughout the 2024 Cup Series regular season, with all their drivers successfully clinching playoff spots. However, after a less-than-stellar performance at the Quaker State 400 in Atlanta, their postseason outlook has become a hot topic. A NASCAR insider, Bob Pockrass, took a closer look at the scenarios facing the JGR team and offered an insightful analysis of the challenges their drivers now face as they push toward the championship.
Bob Pockrass, a reporter for Fox Sports, analyzed how the four JGR drivers performed at the Atlanta Motor Speedway and what their results might mean for their individual playoff chances and the team’s overall standings. His analysis painted a picture of uncertainty for three of the four drivers, with only one looking securely positioned to advance.
According to Pockrass, Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, and Martin Truex Jr. have reason to be concerned after the Atlanta race. Hamlin is hanging on to his playoff spot by just two points, Gibbs is ahead by a razor-thin margin of one point, and Truex finds himself trailing by a significant 19 points. The pressure on these three Joe Gibbs Racing drivers is mounting, and how they handle the upcoming races will be critical to their playoff survival.
Pockrass expressed his thoughts on Hamlin’s chances: “Denny Hamlin is just two points above the cut line, and with all the off-track drama surrounding the 23XI team and NASCAR’s charter dispute, the question is whether he can stay focused enough to make it through. I think he will, but it’s going to be close.” The mention of charter disputes refers to the ongoing negotiations between NASCAR and teams over charter agreements, which dictate which teams have guaranteed spots in races. Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing, has been at the center of these talks, adding another layer of complexity to his playoff campaign.
As for Ty Gibbs, the young driver is experiencing the playoffs for the first time and faces immense pressure with his slim one-point advantage. Pockrass acknowledged that Gibbs has performed admirably under pressure so far, even managing a top-five finish at Bristol in the past. “I think Ty has the potential to handle this pressure,” Pockrass noted, “but he’s young, and the playoffs are a whole new level of intensity. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles it.”
Martin Truex Jr., on the other hand, is in a particularly tough spot. With 19 points to make up, his playoff chances appear bleak. What makes this situation even more poignant is the fact that this is Truex’s final full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series. As a veteran driver with a wealth of experience, including road course racing where he’s excelled in the past, there’s still a chance for him to bounce back, but it will take a lot of effort.
Pockrass shared his thoughts on the veteran’s situation: “Truex is a talented road course racer, and while 19 points is a big gap, he might be able to close it in the right circumstances. That said, if I were him, I’d be somewhat relieved to know I’m retiring at the end of the season. The pressure might not be as heavy knowing that this is the end of the road for me.”
While Hamlin, Gibbs, and Truex find themselves under varying degrees of pressure, one driver from JGR appears to be on more solid ground—Christopher Bell. Bell’s strong performance has placed him well above the cut line, and he seems poised to advance deeper into the playoffs. Pockrass noted that Bell’s consistency and ability to avoid major issues have worked in his favor, giving him a comfortable margin that his teammates would surely envy.
Joe Gibbs Racing, founded by the iconic Joe Gibbs in 1992, has built a legacy as one of the most dominant teams in NASCAR history. With five Cup Series championships and over 330 race wins across all NASCAR divisions, the team has a well-earned reputation for excellence. However, the 2024 playoff scenario has thrown a few challenges their way, leaving the team in an uncertain position as the competition heats up.
Adding to the mix of challenges is the ongoing situation involving Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing team and their refusal to sign the new charter agreement. Charters are essentially the licenses that guarantee teams a spot in each race, and the negotiations around these charters have become contentious. 23XI, co-owned by Hamlin, opted not to sign the new agreement, citing what they believe to be unfair negotiation practices by NASCAR.
Hamlin has been navigating these off-track distractions while also trying to keep his focus on winning his first Cup Series championship as a driver. In an interview with Bob Pockrass, Hamlin opened up about how the ongoing situation with 23XI and NASCAR could affect his personal goals. “I’ve been in these high-pressure situations before, especially during the playoffs,” Hamlin said. “I owe it to my team—especially Chris Gabehart and everyone working on the #11 car—to stay focused. My goal for the next ten weeks is clear: win that championship.”
Despite a rough start to the playoffs, with a disappointing 24th-place finish in Atlanta, Hamlin remains determined to turn things around. His focus is squarely on the task at hand, and he’s relying on the strength of his team to help him push through these next critical weeks.
The upcoming race at Darlington presents another opportunity for the JGR drivers to either solidify their positions or find themselves slipping closer to elimination. Denny Hamlin’s battle to stay above the cut line, Ty Gibbs’ fight to hold his ground, and Martin Truex Jr.’s last-ditch effort to stay in contention will all make for a thrilling chapter in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Joe Gibbs Racing is no stranger to high-pressure situations, and if there’s one thing their history shows, it’s that they know how to rise to the occasion. As the playoffs continue, all eyes will be on this powerhouse team to see how their drivers navigate the twists and turns ahead.
