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Earnhardt Jr. Ponders Gibbs's Aggressive Team Racing Tactics

The Enigma of Ty Gibbs's Racing Conduct

Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently voiced his bewilderment over Ty Gibbs's assertive maneuvers against his fellow Joe Gibbs Racing drivers, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell, during the New Hampshire Motor Speedway event. Earnhardt Jr. struggled to comprehend the underlying motivation behind Gibbs's actions, especially considering his teammates were contending for the championship.

Recalling Past Controversies and Empathy for Gibbs

While expressing some understanding for Gibbs, recalling his own experiences where he had to yield to teammates in championship pursuits, Earnhardt Jr. found it hard to justify Gibbs's intensity against Hamlin and Bell. He pointed to a previous incident where Gibbs collided with teammate Brandon Jones in the 2022 Xfinity Series race at Martinsville, suggesting a pattern of aggressive team racing.

Questioning Motives and Team Relations

On his podcast, the \"Dale Jr. Download,\" Earnhardt Jr. confessed his difficulty in deciphering Gibbs's motives. Despite his personal admiration for Gibbs, he couldn't reconcile Gibbs's aggressive stance with the benefits, particularly given Gibbs was not in the playoffs. Earnhardt Jr. pondered the impact of such driving on team morale and the perceptions of team personnel.

A Teammate's Perspective on On-Track Etiquette

Earnhardt Jr. speculated that Joe Gibbs Racing leadership, possibly including competition director Chris Gabehart, would have advised Gibbs against such confrontational racing at this critical juncture of the season. He emphasized that in playoff scenarios, a teammate should not present the most formidable challenge on the track. Having personally experienced the frustration of being out of playoff contention while supporting teammates, Earnhardt Jr. underscored the necessity of understanding and adapting to the team's overarching goals.

The Persistent Question of Judgment

Ultimately, Earnhardt Jr. continued to question Gibbs's decision-making, finding it illogical given the context and Gibbs's prior experience with team-related incidents. He described the situation as \"silly\" and a matter of \"common sense,\" implying that Gibbs should have avoided creating such an predicament, even if it led to Hamlin's subsequent actions.

The upcoming 2025 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi promises an exhilarating weekend of motorcycle racing, with critical implications for the championship. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the event, including the full schedule, broadcasting options, and key storylines such as Marc Marquez's pursuit of a potential nine-time world championship title and Ducati's dominant history at this circuit. Fans worldwide can use the provided session timings, adjusted for various time zones, to ensure they don't miss a moment of the action as the season's penultimate race unfolds.

The 2025 MotoGP season brings us to the highly anticipated Japanese Grand Prix, hosted at the iconic Twin Ring Motegi circuit. This event is particularly significant as it could mark a historic moment for Marc Marquez, the factory Ducati rider. He stands on the brink of securing his ninth world championship and seventh MotoGP title. To achieve this monumental feat, Marquez needs to extend his current 182-point lead over his brother and closest competitor, Alex Marquez, by a minimum of three points during this race weekend.

Marquez's connection with the Japanese circuit runs deep, stemming from his successful tenure with his former employer, Honda. He boasts an impressive record of five victories at Motegi throughout his career, with three of these triumphs occurring in the premier class. This history of success adds an extra layer of anticipation to his championship bid.

Adding to the excitement, Ducati has showcased remarkable performance at the Japanese Grand Prix since its return to the calendar in 2022 following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Italian manufacturer has maintained an unbeaten streak at Motegi, securing three consecutive victories from 2022 to 2024 with different riders: Jack Miller in 2022, Jorge Martin in 2023, and Francesco Bagnaia in 2024. This consistent dominance positions Ducati as a formidable force once again.

For fans globally, the event begins with Free Practice 1 on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 02:45 to 03:30 BST, followed by the main Practice session from 07:00 to 08:00 BST. Saturday, September 27, will feature Free Practice 2 from 02:10 to 02:40 BST, followed by Qualifying from 02:50 to 03:30 BST, and the Sprint race at 07:00 BST. The main event, the Race, will commence on Sunday, September 28, at 06:00 BST, preceded by a Warm-up session from 01:40 to 01:50 BST. These times are crucial for viewers to plan their weekend around the thrilling races.

The MotoGP VideoPass offers comprehensive streaming access, including live broadcasts of all practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and the Sprint race, along with post-race highlights. This service is available for an annual subscription fee of 139.99 euros. Additionally, many local broadcasters around the world will be streaming the MotoGP races on their respective official websites, providing multiple options for fans to follow the Japanese Grand Prix.