NASCAR Cup Series

Racing team prez wants Hamlin to keep quiet

Published Sep. 26, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs isn't trying to change Denny Hamlin's outspoken ways. He just wants his star driver to use ''good judgment'' when he does address controversial topics.

Hamlin created a stir when he criticized Clint Bowyer's excuse for why his car flunked a follow-up inspection after winning at New Hampshire. Kevin Harvick, Bowyer's Richard Childress Racing teammate, retaliated against Hamlin during Saturday's practice and the two Chase drivers exchanged profanities in the garage.

Gibbs spoke with Hamlin about his comments that sparked a weekend full of acrimony.

''I think looking back now, I think, yeah, he wishes he could take back some of that and not make that the issue that it's become,'' Gibbs said.

On Sunday, Hamlin did his talking on the track at Dover International Speedway. He finished ninth to stay atop the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship standings with a 35-point lead on four-time champion Jimmie Johnson.

Gibbs wasn't worried about tempers flaring Sunday or perhaps down the line as the pressure grows in the title hunt. Gibbs wants to keep the focus on racing, not popping off.

''It's just distracting. That's what you don't want, distractions when you're in the Chase,'' Gibbs said.

Hamlin considered the issue over.

''They wanted to voice their displeasure the way they did. That's fine,'' Hamlin said. ''I didn't see those guys really all day. So everyone I think was focused on their own race. I think there's too much to lose within this Chase for anyone to really do anything that's out of the ordinary or make a dumb move. There's too much at stake for these race teams.''