Plenty has happened since the start of the 2023 NASCAR Playoffs. Without a doubt, Denny Hamlin had an impressive run in the Round of 16 but it was only in Bristol that he managed to go all the way. Having said that, the next round brings a fresh wave of intensity to the Cup Series, with the possibility of an internal war at Joe Gibbs Racing.

It is no secret that Joe Gibbs and his team have been performing tremendously well so far. With three of his teams in the Round of 12, the possibility of a successful year only looks brighter.

Denny Hamlin’s camp sends out a battle cry ahead of the Round of 12

Ahead of the race at the Bristol Motor Speedway, Joe Gibbs faced a massive concern involving Martin Truex Jr. With the #19 driver seven points below the cutoff, it was a terrible feeling after having clinched the regular season. Luckily enough, Truex Jr managed to squeeze through despite a 19th-placed finish at Bristol.

It is amazing how despite finishing 18th, 36th, and 19th in the Round of 16, the 2014 Cup Series champion made it to the Round of 12. Not only did Truex Jr qualify for the next round, he is back tied for the lead in the Cup points standings. Now, he sits four points above JGR teammate Denny Hamlin.

With such close margins, the Cup Series only gets more interesting. However, the problems for Joe Gibbs only increase as three drivers enter into the foray hunting for the title. However, the major tussle seems to be between the Truex Jr and Hamlin camp.

Post the #11 driver’s win in Bristol, his crew chief Chris Gabehart looked upbeat but very wary of Truex Jr’s team’s capabilities. In fact, he spoke about the challenge they possess now. He said, “I know what they have, I know what their resources are. I work very closely with them.”

Gabehart expects them to bounce back strongly. He said, “If you get down once, shame on the situation. Get down twice, shame on them. They’re not going to get down twice. They’re going to be tough to beat. I’m ready for the challenge.”

While that indicates a tricky situation at JGR, Joe Gibbs looked quite thrilled with the prospect of the setup of the next round of the playoffs.

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Joe Gibbs remains delighted with Denny Hamlin, MTJ, and C-Bell’s advancement in the playoffs

With three teams in the playoffs, Joe Gibbs Racing is in a commanding position in the Round of 12. Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr, and Christopher Bell, all have had their moments so far as they prepare to make it big at Texas this weekend.

WATCH THIS STORY: Denny Hamlin Points a Finger at NASCAR’s Intricate System for Teammate’s Dramatic Downfall

However, that hasn’t stopped Joe Gibbs from being ecstatic about the next round. Speaking about it after the race at Bristol, he said, “It means so much. This is our playoff. Way it’s designed, it’s so tough to get from one round to the next. It means so much for us. It’s Toyota. It’s our sponsors.”

Gibbs continued, “It just means a lot to our sponsors and to our manufacturer. It’s just all the way across the board. To have three cars advance is really a big deal for us.” While there’s every reason for him to be excited, he would surely be hoping all three drivers progress to the next round as well.

READ MORE – Denny Hamlin vs. Kyle Larson – Who Won the Round of 16 as HMS and JGR Rivalry Reaches New Heights?