“Better than the big leagues”: Denny Hamlin’s former crew chief applauds streaming platform after Snowball Derby

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin's former crew chief Chris Gabehart recently expressed his views on the impressive coverage of the highly anticipated Snowball Derby. This was the 57th edition of the 300-lap event at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

Denny Hamlin drives the #11 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. With 74 career wins, including 54 at the Cup level, he has established himself as one of the sport’s most consistent and successful drivers. Despite his impressive resume, the 43-year-old veteran continues to pursue an elusive Cup Series championship to add to his legacy.

His former crew chief, Chris Gabehart, recently shared a post on X, mirroring the thoughts of RFK Racing employee Brian Murphy on the broadcast of the Snowball Derby. Both Murphy and Gabehart applauded FloRacing for a job well done.

"The coverage @FloRacing has provided this past week has completely surpassed any expectations I considered. Thank you to each and every one of you on this team." Murphy wrote

In agreement, Gabehart shared Murphy's post on X and wrote:

"ABSOLUTELY! One of the first shows like this I have watched on a streaming platform that truly looked professionally done. And some things done better than the big leagues! Congrats @FloRacing"

Denny Hamlin's former crew chief Gabehart assumed the role for Joe Gibbs Racing's #11 team in 2019, starting his tenure with a victory in the Daytona 500. Since then, he and driver Denny Hamlin have delivered 22 race wins, bringing significant success to JGR. However, in an internal reshuffle, Gabehart was announced as the new Competition Director.

Chris Gayle will replace him as the crew chief of the #11 Cup Series team.

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"Maybe I've called my last race": Chris Gabehart opens up about the 'Tough’ conversation with Denny Hamlin as he steps down amid the JGR shakeup

Former crew chief Chris Gabehart reflected on his candid conversation with Denny Hamlin regarding his transition within Joe Gibbs Racing. Gabehart emphasized that their achievements were not just the result of a two-man partnership but a collective team effort. Speaking with SiriusXM, he said:

"You have to realize that for me, that's not just a conversation with Denny because Denny and I, without this team, would just be two guys out on a walk and we wouldn't win anything. It's the culture that we built inside the entire team."

"So, yeah, I mean, the conversation with Denny was a tough one and it was, you know, it's still tough for me admittedly to come off the box and realize that, you know, maybe I've called my last race[...]There's no easy way to have those conversations. But in the end, he's (Denny Hamlin) a true professional. And I think he truly understands this will make all of us better," he added.

Hamlin and Gabehart's last season together was not their best work; however, the pair managed to secure three race wins, 12 top-five finishes, and four pole positions. While Hamlin and Gabehart took the #11 team to the playoffs, the three-time Daytona 500 winner's title chase ended after the Round of 8.