At the tender age of 22, Ty Gibbs, a promising driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, is setting his sights on a victorious rebound following a slow beginning to the 2025 Cup season. With an intimate connection with Phoenix Raceway and seven NASCAR starts under his belt – one of which resulted in a win and another a commendable third-place finish – Gibbs is keen to leave his mark on the Phoenix mile this coming Sunday.
The youngster’s passion for Phoenix Raceway is evident. “I have a deep affection for Phoenix. It holds a sentimental value for me,” Gibbs shared. But his journey so far this season has been anything but smooth. After a disappointing 16th-place finish at the Daytona 500 and a multi-car crash at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Gibbs found himself finishing a dismal 34th at the Circuit of The Americas last weekend.
Gibbs, however, remains undeterred. “The journey so far has been challenging,” he confessed, “But we’re set to put on a solid performance. After two speedway races and a wreck last week, I am confident we’ll bounce back stronger. I’m looking forward to a consistent schedule and the opportunity to showcase my skills and my team’s hard work.”
In the face of recent setbacks, Gibbs has been vocal about shaking things up within his team and exploring new strategies to enhance performance. “We’ve been experimenting with different approaches,” he revealed. “We’ve made some adjustments to our team, brought new people on board, and I now have a new crew chief, Tyler Allen. He brings a fresh perspective to our racing strategy.”
With Phoenix in sight, Gibbs is also looking forward to the upcoming races at Las Vegas, Homestead-Miami, Darlington, and Bristol. He acknowledged the challenge of finding an edge in a field where everyone has access to the same resources, but is committed to working tirelessly to gain the upper hand.
Despite being a somewhat controversial figure in the Cup, Gibbs remains unfazed by criticism from fans and media alike. He believes that if people got to know him better, they’d find him a likable character but is ultimately unconcerned with public opinion. His primary focus is on winning and making the most of his opportunities.
“I was brought up to strive for success in this sport and win at everything I do,” Gibbs stated. “I aim to be respectful and humble while also fiercely competitive. I’m fortunate and blessed in my life. I’m surrounded by great people and I’m committed to working hard and achieving as much success as I can.”
Gibbs also took a moment to pay tribute to Luke Trembath, fondly known as Dingo, a significant figure in his life who passed away. “He was an incredible guy. We all miss him. I’ve learned a lot from people like him and strive to maintain a positive outlook.”
As the season progresses, Gibbs is eyeing that elusive first Cup Series win. “I believe we’re on the verge of a breakthrough,” he asserted. “We came close last year and missed it. But we’re going all out this time. I’ve got a lot going for me and I hope to do my best, win, set a good example, and contribute positively to the sport. I believe every time I get in the Cup car, I have a chance to win.”