Despite winning 13 times between 3 of their drivers, Joe Gibbs Racing once again left 2025 without a Cup championship. That said, Denny Hamlin looked to be on his way to hoisting JGR’s first championship in the 2020s. However, the 11 team’s dominate Phoenix performance was undone by a late race caution. Still, 2025 was an incredibly successful season for the Toyota team. Three drivers won 3 or more races, one being the prized silly season acquisition from last year. Heading into this season, JGR will still be the most fearsome team to face almost every weekend. Similar to Hendrick Motorsports, the return of The Chase should not be a detriment to the organization. Also, Ty Gibbs drives for the team as well. Time to breakdown the upcoming season in the 2026 Season Preview for Joe Gibbs Racing.
#11 – Denny Hamlin
Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images
Crew Chief: Chris Gayle
2025 Points Finish: 2
2026 Announced Sponsors: Sport Clips, National Debt Relief, King’s Hawaiian, Yahoo!, Progressive Insurance, Bob’s Discount Furniture
2025 would likely qualify as the most challenging season for Denny Hamlin. To kick it off, Hamlin’s longtime crew chief Chris Gabehart was promoted within JGR. At the tail-end of any driver’s career, switching crew chiefs is not a desirable position to be in. Credit to Hamlin and Chris Gayle though, as the pair managed to rack up a series leading 6 wins. Those 6 wins were almost 7 when Hamlin dominated Phoenix, but the last competitive dagger of 2025 hit with 2 laps to go. Off the track, Hamlin had to face down NASCAR in civil court. Meanwhile, his father’s health was declining before he tragically passed in December.
Our thoughts and prayer still go out to the Hamlin family.
2026 Expectations
After a turbulent 2025, there is a strong chance that 2026 will be Denny Hamlin’s last. His competitive spirit seemed crushed after the Cup Championship was ripped from him. While he is signed to a multi-year contract, no one would bat an eye if Hamlin decided to hang it up after Homestead. Whether 2026 is his last or not, Denny Hamlin will be a constant race-winning favorite this season. Since going winless in 2018, Hamlin has won multiple races in each following season. 2025 was the first time Hamlin claimed more than 3 wins in the Gen7 era though. Under the assumption that the working relationship between Gayle and Hamlin continues to improve, there is no reason to think the 11 car will break that streak.
The Chase Factor
Although Denny Hamlin went on race-winning tear last season, his efforts would have seen him fall short of the championship under this new format. Even if you throw in an average Hamlin finish in his missing start, he would have fallen shy. Despite the 6 wins, Hamlin’s average finish did not improve from the season prior. While Hamlin scored plenty of strong results, his finishes outside the Top-10 were usually deep in the field. If this boom/bust style of performance continues into 2026, it will be difficult for Hamlin to score his first championship.
Silly Season Implications
Obviously, if Denny Hamlin wants to return for 2027, then the seat is his. However, there is a question of whether that is the case. Contractually, this is already set. Hamlin has signed to race (at least) through the 2027 season. That said, it is plausible that 2026 becomes Hamlin’s defacto retirement tour. If this JGR seat opens, it could be the most desired Cup seat in this season’s silly season. The question then will be whether JGR looks outside the Toyota landscape to fill that seat.
#19 – Chase Briscoe
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Crew Chief: James Small
2025 Points Finish: 3
2026 Announced Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Columbia Bank, Free Bird Southern Spring Water, Zep
Can a Joe Gibbs Racing driver be considered a dark horse for the championship? After a successful first season with Joe Gibbs Racing, Chase Briscoe enters his second year with strong momentum. The start of 2025 was a bit slow, with the main notable accolade for Briscoe being nabbing the Daytona 500 pole. However, a 3-pole stretch from the Coca-Cola 600 through Michigan jumpstarted a strong second half. Winning three times in the final 20 races saw Briscoe emerge as a frontrunner.
2026 Expectations
Lofty expectations followed Chase Briscoe as he left Stewart-Haas Racing for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025. After an impressive debut season with the team, those expectations have only grown. The dynamic between James Small and Briscoe seemed to click in the latter two-thirds of last season. If they can continue that synergy into 2026, then the sky is the limit for the 19 team. Another season of multiple wins while being a championship contender should be on the docket for Briscoe and co.
The Chase Factor
Out of the Joe Gibbs Racing camp, Chase Briscoe might be the best bet to win the championship under The Chase format. Especially considering his second half surge, Briscoe managed to pull off strong results without running into too many bad finishes. Winning more than what he did last year will be key to boosting his championship stock. However, the 19 team has proven to be championship quality. Both driver and team usually exceed with limiting the damage on off-weekends, which should bode well for their championship hopes.
#20 – Christopher Bell
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Crew Chief: Adam Stevens
2025 Points Finish: 5
2026 Announced Sponsors: DeWalt, Interstate Batteries, Rheem, Yahoo!, Reser’s Fine Foods, Sport Clips
At the start of the 2025 season, it looked to be Christopher Bell’s breakout season. Rattling off 3 straight wins in the first 4 races certainly foreshadowed a strong season. Afterall, two of the wins were not necessarily on Bell’s strongest tracks. However, Bell only managed one more win throughout the rest of the season and fell short of the Championship Four. Still, 2025 is Bell’s best in his Cup Series career.
2026 Expectations
Between the three heavy hitters at Joe Gibbs Racing, Christopher Bell proved to be the most consistent in the organization. He did set career bests in wins and average finish while matching a career high in lead lap finishes. On paper, that should spell the frontrunner from the JGR camp. However, Bell’s 282 laps led is his fewest since taking over the 20 car. While his counting statistics look strong, the runs that went with them were not as competitive (in terms of winning speed) as they appear. It feels that Bell should have that one dominate season where he leads the series in wins. Maybe that will be 2026.
The Chase Factor
Being tied for the most Top-10s in the series is an excellent way to pencil your way into the championship conversation. Obviously, there is no fear that Bell will miss The Chase. Based on his recent seasons, he should be a Top-5 finisher by the end of the first 26 races. With plenty of his better tracks still lurking in the final 10 races, Christopher Bell has a pathway to the championship. Should he be favored over his JGR teammates though?
#54 – Ty Gibbs
Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images
Crew Chief: Tyler Allen
2025 Points Finish: 19
2026 Announced Sponsors: Monster Energy, Interstate Batteries, SiriusXM, Saia, Zep
What to make of Ty Gibbs. Through 3 seasons of his Cup Series career, it is difficult to pinpoint where Gibbs should rank among the young crop of drivers. On one hand, his tenure thus far has been a disappointment. Not only did his Xfinity Series career lather him in great expectations, driving for his grandfather should give him a leg up over his competition. That said, the kid gloves being used to handle him definitely seem to hamper his talent. There have been flashes, especially early in 2024. But 3 full seasons with no wins definitely is lackluster.
2026 Expectations
Trying to determine what to expect from Ty Gibbs is an interesting exercise. Once again, a Joe Gibbs Racing entry should be a lock to make The Chase when it is the Top-16 in points. The past two seasons, Gibbs ranked inside the Top-16 at the end of the first 26 races. However, the new points format would have seen Gibbs lose out last year to Shane van Gisbergen. Not to mention, a JGR car should not barely be scrapping its way into The Chase. With his Cup career thus far, it is difficult to expect that out of Ty Gibbs. However, that is the expectation. Not only that, but winning at least one race.
The Chase Format
Win-and-in being gone should benefit Ty Gibbs. It is the only reason why he missed the playoffs last year while it almost jeopardized his spot in 2024. In JGR equipment, it seems to be a tougher challenge to miss The Chase than make it. Yet that has been the situation Gibbs has found himself his entire Cup career.