Denny Hamlin has fired a stern warning at Joe Gibbs Racing, with the 60-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner heading into the Championship 4 race in Phoenix, Arizona, next month and in with a shot at fulfilling his destiny. Hamlin, 44, is NASCAR’s most successful driver not to win a Cup Series Championship, which has eluded him thus far in his career.

The JGR driver and 23XI Racing co-owner has long criticized NASCAR’s current playoff system, but he is in with a real shot at winning his first Cup title in it, winning six races in 2025. JGR has also been NASCAR‘s most successful team this year, winning 13 races this season, and already has Hamlin and now YellaWood 500 race winner Chase Briscoe locked into the Championship 4 race.

Christopher Bell is in with a shot at making the four-way finale dominated by JGR, with the 30-year-old third in the playoff standings with a 37-point buffer. However, Hamlin’s afternoon at Talladega on Sunday was far from successful.

Hamlin found himself a lap down after his team spent time looking at an issue on pit road. The sharp-tongued future Hall of Famer has warned his team to get their act together with the Xfinity 500, the final race before next month’s Championship 4 showdown in Phoenix.

“We’ve got to get our s— together at the shop to keep our cars from breaking down,” Hamlin stated. Hamlin had issues with teammate Ty Gibbs earlier in the playoffs, but the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs straightened himself and has played a part in Briscoe and Co.’s success.

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Gibbs finished third at Talladega but helped Briscoe to victory. “Ty Gibbs, incredible teammate there. I would not have won that race without Ty. Just an amazing team effort. I can’t believe I won a superspeedway race,” Briscoe said.

“I haven’t done it any level anywhere. Just an unbelievable atmosphere. It’s not hit me. We’re going to Phoenix! So thankful that the Lord has blessed me opening doors, even closing doors at times.

“Opening an incredible door here with Joe Gibbs Racing. I say it all the time, even today, I had such a peace. Normally I’m scared to death, nervous wreck around this place.”

For Gibbs, he sacrificed his best shot at winning his first Cup race. “It was my best shot to win and just try to make myself go into the best possible position to win, so happy to help (Chase Briscoe) get into the final 4,” Gibbs said.

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“I wish we could’ve won that one. We were really fast today. We won Stage 1, and Briscoe won Stage 2, and we both were close there for the win. I’m happy for that team.

“Just being a great teammate out here doing the teammate thing. I’m happy for them. I hope they can go and win it. I’d like to see them do that.”