Denny Hamlin will have a new crew chief in 2025. Joe Gibbs Racing announced Friday that Chris Gayle will serve as the crew chief for Hamlin’s No. 11 team, with Chris Gabehart being promoted to competition director.

With those struggles as the backdrop, JGR officials recognize Gabehart is undoubtedly one of the best crew chiefs in the Cup garage and believe his insight and expertise could better serve the company in a larger role as competition director, similar to the transition Chad Knaus made with Hendrick Motorsports in 2020.