By Cole Cusumano

Joe Gibbs Racing’s struggles have been well documented all season. Both Kyle Busch and Erik Jones remain winless at the halfway point with the driver of the No. 18 clinging on to an 89-point lead in the standings and the Michigan-native on the outside looking in. Martin Truex Jr. has a win this season and finished runner-up at Kentucky Speedway, but they’ve been wildly inconsistent, much like Busch and Jones. 

That leaves Denny Hamlin — the exception to Toyota Racing’s woes. The Virginia-native is tied for the most victories in 2020 with four, and they’re looking like the team to beat along with Kevin Harvick. Similarly to last year, it appears as if the No. 11 is one of the most complete teams in the garage area with second-year crew chief, Chris Gabehart, leading the charge atop the pit box.

With all four teams racing the same equipment and the only new crew chief pairing being James Small with Truex, it begs the question — what’s plaguing this once dominant organization and why is the 11 team the only ones consistently performing? 

“It’s hard for me to speak towards the other teams, but I will certainly say that our group, it feels like it’s a very refined process,” Gabehart told POPULAR SPEED. “It’s not an accident that we’re running the way we are. We do the same things every week. We are very meticulous with details, and right now that chemistry is working, but again, it’s so much about adaptability.”

The 39-year-old is aware they can’t sustain this success for the entirety of 2020. Between new rules packages, practice potentially returning and increased competition from opposing organizations, it’s just not feasible. Right now, that team is going to continue doing what works for them until they’re forced to shift the momentum.

“We are going to go to the ROVAL in Daytona and all of those variables produce change that could affect that chemistry but right now our group is just hitting on all eight and really paying attention to all of the details. I think it’s showing for sure,” Gabehart concluded.

Although not omitted from the man himself, it can’t be understated how well Hamlin has performed with Gabehart’s presence. In 50 races together, the pairing have found victory lane 10 times and they boast an average finish of 9.5. 

With the Playoffs looming largely, Hamlin is once again being credited as one of the favorites come Phoenix Raceway in November. The world bared witness to what a special run the 11 team went on in 2019 and with every aspect of this team in-tact and clicking once again, it’s no wonder they’ve been able to adapt to the ever changing climate of the sport in 2020.