Chris Gayle, crew chief for Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, says NASCAR’s new front-splitter struts could be one factor in the competitive picture—but Kyle Larson’s Kansas win does not prove the change erased a Toyota advantage. Gayle said the update had not helped his own team and that several more races would be needed to assess its effect.
What did Denny Hamlin’s crew chief say about the rule?
Speaking on Jeff Gluck’s Gluckcast, Gayle pushed back on attributing a team’s performance to one change. “Somewhere in the middle. It’s very seldom do I ever see it be one specific thing,” he said, describing the rule as a possible contributor rather than a complete explanation.
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Gayle also said the update “definitely hasn’t helped us,” while acknowledging he could not speak for other teams. He said no one from NASCAR had told him the measure was specifically aimed at Toyota: “I’m not going to say this was a Toyota thing, because no one from NASCAR has ever said that.” Those are Gayle’s comments and understanding, not an official NASCAR explanation. Yahoo Sports’ October 2, 2026 report carried the discussion.
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What is the front-splitter strut change?
NASCAR required teams to add struts to the front splitter beginning at North Wilkesboro in July 2026. The stated purpose, as reported by Motorsport.com, was to limit the splitter’s movement or deformation at speed. The available reporting does not establish a measured performance effect or a Toyota-specific motive.
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Gayle characterized the rationale as addressing perceived “haves and have-nots” and leveling the field. That is his interpretation of the situation, not a confirmed statement of NASCAR’s official reasoning.
Why Kansas did not settle the question
Kansas was described as the first 1.5-mile race since the change. Rain canceled qualifying, and a metrics-based formula set the lineup with Larson’s No. 5 starting at the front. Gayle pointed to that track position and Larson’s clean execution: “the 5 started up front because of the metrics and never made a mistake all race. So he stayed there.” Hamlin said the No. 5 was the best car that day.
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That result cannot isolate the rule’s effect from the starting lineup, execution, car setup or other team factors. One race also cannot establish whether a change in splitter behavior translates into a lasting advantage for one manufacturer. Gayle said the next three races would give a better indication of the championship picture; his assessment was that more evidence was needed, not that the rule had no effect.
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Do not confuse the splitter rule with the short-track bumper update
A separate front-bumper change was reported around the same North Wilkesboro weekend. NASCAR.com’s July 18 preview described a new front-bumper configuration for the short-track package. Motorsport.com separately reported a bulletin calling for removal of front and rear bumper foam and modification of front-bumper struts at North Wilkesboro, Richmond, Bristol and Martinsville. That is distinct from the front-splitter struts discussed after Kansas.
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What evidence would make the rule’s impact clearer?
To judge whether the splitter-strut rule changed competition, look for patterns across multiple races rather than one finish. The most useful comparisons are:
- Track type: Compare intermediate-track results with short-track races, while keeping the separate bumper update in mind.
- Several events: A repeated pattern carries more weight than a single Kansas result.
- Race circumstances: Consider starting position and execution alongside finishing order.
- What is being claimed: A change in splitter behavior, one team’s results and a manufacturer-wide competitive shift are different claims and require different evidence.
The October 2 report also said Hamlin trailed Larson by 26 points before Las Vegas. That was a snapshot in a changing championship battle, not evidence that the rule caused the gap.
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