Kevin Harvick questions who the real leader is at Joe Gibbs Racing

Kevin Harvick believes we’re seeing a new leader in the clubhouse emerge at Joe Gibbs Racing right before our eyes. Christopher Bell has been asserting his dominance, and ascending to become the top driver on the team.

The No. 20 wheelman has emerged as one of the best in all of the NASCAR Cup Series over the past few seasons, and that’s been underscored by him winning two of the first three races in 2025. On the latest episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, the former champion explained why JGR is Bell’s team now, as Denny Hamlin enters the twilight of his career, and shares his focus with his role as an owner at 23XI Racing.

“Where’s [Christopher] Bell at as the team leader at JGR? Because it surely seems to be developing into the Christopher Bell leadership role, and being kind of that lead-driver,” Harvick stated, regarding Bell. “I mean, it’s not the No. 54, and it’s not the No. 19. Denny’s whole scenario has changed.

“So, with the performance and the continuity and everything being consistent for that No. 20 team, it just seems like as they go forward, they have found a new leader of their team, for when Denny Hamlin is not at JGR anymore.”

Evidently, Harvick believes Bell’s advent gives JGR a driver to put some added resources behind, and it’s easy to see why. He’s been phenomenal, and while Hamlin has had an awesome run with the team, Harvick just doesn’t know if all the pieces will click, especially considering all the changes the No. 11 team is dealing with this season. 

“When you look at those changes, and we’ve covered Denny Hamlin. They got off to a great start at The Clash, and had a chance there at the end of the Daytona 500. But they’ve had a lot of changes,” Harvick added. “As you start going to these different styles of racetrack, and you’re preparing on a weekly basis, it becomes a different ball game when you can’t just focus on something, and the season actually starts.

“So, I think that you spend the first part of the six weeks of the season kind of getting over that honeymoon phase, and then you go through the middle part of the year, it’ll be interesting to see where that clicks for those guys, to really go out. Are they just going to dominate some of these races? Are they going to struggle, or are they not going to be able to capitalize on the days when they’re good? What is the new No. 11 team going to look like?

“… I mean, he’s one of the best, and obviously the most experienced. He’s going to be a leader. But even when you’re a great leader and you’re a great race car driver, sometimes you just never know if all the details are going to click, and it’s tough.

“When you have that continuity of the No. 20 team, all of a sudden a little bit of that focus goes over here, a little bit of that focus goes over here, and the next thing you know, you’re not the guy anymore. So, it’s just an interesting time at JGR, with all the different dynamics that they’ve created.”

All told, Denny Hamlin is still a pivotal piece of Joe Gibbs Racing, but for all intents and purposes, it’s difficult not to agree with Kevin Harvick’s assessment. Christopher Bell is the lead dog now, and he could win his third straight race this weekend at Phoenix.