Joe Gibbs reacts to Denny Hamlin Martinsville win, ‘big day’ for JGR

Joe Gibbs Racing is without a doubt the team of the season through seven races. Christopher Bell went back-to-back-to-back earlier this season and Denny Hamlin took the checkered flag in Sunday’s race at Martinsville.

Bell followed in second, but it was a productive day for JGR as a whole. Chase Briscoe finished ninth to secure his second consecutive top 10. Ty Gibbs rebounded from a Lap 298 spin to finish a season-high 13th. Team owner Joe Gibbs appreciated the effort from all of his drivers, praising each of their performances while speaking with Andrew Kurland of Dirty Mo Media after the race.

Joe Gibbs on JGR’s hot start and Ty Gibbs’ rebound from spinning: pic.twitter.com/jdm1S5oxzD

— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) March 30, 2025

“It really does [feel good],” Gibbs said. “When you come to Martinsville, this is old school racing the way it should be. We’ve had a little bit of time here where we’ve had a tough time at Martinsville. Denny bounced back today. I told him, ‘That’s the old Denny.’ Leading all throughout the race and winning the race.

“Christopher did a good job. Chase — really good — a top 10. Ty was just outside of it and got turned. Big day for us. Just appreciate everyone here and what this means. This means a lot. Progressive –new sponsor — huge deal for us.”

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing dominant at Martinsville

JGR was good; Hamlin was next level. The 44-year-old led 274-of-400 laps, winning his 55th Cup Series race and first at Martinsville since 2015. It was Hamlin’s first victory since last April at Dover, and it came in dominating fashion. On top of that, win No. 1 for Chris Gayle atop the pit box for the No. 11 team.

“You know, Chris Gayle, all the engineers, the pit crew, everybody really on that wall right there just deciding that they were going to come here with a different approach than what we’ve been over the last few years,” Hamlin said. “And it was just amazing. The car was great. It did everything I needed it to do. Just so happy to win with Chris and get 55. It’s awesome.”

Hamlin is and should be the headline. But what Gibbs did was impressive. After the spin — initiated by contact with Tyler Reddick — Gibbs quickly rebounded. The result was the best day of his season after a rocky start.

“Everyone knows we’ve been off to such a tough start,” Joe Gibbs said of his grandson. “When that happens, what I’m caught up in is looking at who helps us, who supports us, who’s gonna help us get out of it. I think the same way with Ty. He’s just fighting his rear end off to get back up front.”