When Joe Gibbs Racing joined the Cup Collection in 1992, a brand new rivalry was born in NASCAR. For the previous 34 years, and have been battling for wins and championships on the very high ranges of the game. That competitors was carried even in final yr’s finale race at Phoenix, the place the 4 finalists had been evenly break up among the many two winningest playoff groups in NASCAR. Now, coming into 2026, former NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick claims that the rivalry isn’t going away anytime quickly.
Hendrick vs. Gibbs, as soon as once more?
In his Comfortable Hour episode, Harvick talked about how the HMS and JGR vehicles appeared sturdy as soon as once more on the Conflict. By giving the instance of William Byron, he mentioned, “William Byron, he’s received the expertise now. He’s received the steadiness in his staff. He’s received a company that’s confirmed winners with Hendrick Motorsports, and so they’re able to contend for a championship.
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Following this, the previous Stewart-Haas Racing star talked about how it may be an all-Mr. Hendrick and Gibbs’ affair as soon as once more, as seen within the Conflict:
“So Hendrick, swept the entrance row. We noticed 4 Gibbs vehicles lined up proper behind them after qualifying, and I actually assume that’s gonna be the story of the yr. It’s Hendrick versus Gibbs, and that’s simply the best way that it’s. With the small modifications within the guidelines this yr with the vehicles and every part that’s taking place, it’s gonna be exhausting to make up floor on these guys.”
BRISTOL, TN – SEPTEMBER 21: Rick Hendrick and Joe Gibbs discuss previous to the working of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Collection Bass Professional Outlets Evening Race on September 21, 2024, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Photograph by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire
Most previews for the 2026 season are additionally pointing to the identical. Given each groups’ steady lineups, current wins, and organizational depth, insiders expect these two groups to manage a lot of the championship dialog once more.
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Notably, Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing have been two of probably the most profitable NASCAR groups in current instances. Having shared 547 Cup Collection victories and 20 Cup titles between them, they’re a pressure to reckon with.
Presently, they’ve 4 charters every, and each driver from the aforementioned groups is a risk to win. Larson of Hendrick Motorsports is the present champion, adopted by Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing, who’s the runner-up.
Nonetheless, regardless of this lengthy rivalry, each and share mutual respect for one another.
When HMS star highlighted Rick Hendrick and Joe Gibbs’ bond
In October final yr, Jeff Gordon, the Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, shared his tackle . Talking in regards to the titans of the game at Martinsville, Gordon mentioned:
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“Mr. Hendrick and Coach Gibbs have an unbelievable relationship. They discuss on a fairly common foundation. They don’t discuss race, about what occurred on Sunday, except they’re congratulating each other on one thing. It’s one thing that was constructed over time due to the best way it began.”
Whereas the respect is mutual off the observe, on the subject of on-track battles, the HMS drivers are reluctant to depart an inch to their JGR counterparts and vice versa. With that mentioned, it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how the Hendrick Motorsports squad performs towards Gibbs’ brigade.
