Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

Furious Denny Hamlin Explodes in Chicago and Lets Joe Gibbs Know About It

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kyle Dalton | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 2:59 PM ET

Denny Hamlin had a strong first half of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign, tying his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson with three wins apiece in the first 18 races of the season. Despite an early exit last Sunday at Atlanta, the No. 11 pilot has been really impressive as of late with three top-three finishes in his last four races, including a trip to Victory Lane at Michigan.

Going into the race through the streets of Chicago, the 44-year-old was understandably feeling confident, especially considering he earned the pole during the inaugural race in the Windy City in 2023 when he finished 11th.

Unfortunately, that confidence vanished on his first lap of practice around the 2.20-mile street circuit when he suffered a mechanical malfunction, went for a spin and fluids started leaking from underneath his Toyota.

A few minutes later, an animated Hamlin was caught on camera talking with Joe Gibbs and JGR Competition Director Chris Gabehart in the pits, expressing his frustration with the situation.

“On everything as a whole,” Hamlin said, moving his hands in a circular motion.

“What are you saying?” Gabehart asked his former driver.

After his engine failed on the first lap of practice in Chicago, @dennyhamlin was not happy about it and let Joe Gibbs and JGR competition director @CG1751 know about it. pic.twitter.com/mfhwElQleW
— Kyle Dalton (@kdsportswriter) July 5, 2025

“I’m just saying like, something – I’m not saying this is us – but like the processes or something is just [expletive] everything up. Can’t even keep our cars together. It’s [expletive] agitating.”

Hamlin won't make a qualifying run on Saturday and will focus on Sunday's race where he will start from the back of the field. Coverage begins at 2 p.m. ET on TNT.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: