The pressure is mounting on former NFL coach and NASCAR team owner, Joe Gibbs, as his grandson, Ty Gibbs, continues to deliver lackluster performances in the NASCAR Cup Series. Known for creating a winning legacy with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), one of NASCAR’s most successful teams, Gibbs now faces a crisis of confidence as his grandson’s performance fails to live up to the family name.
Ty Gibbs’ racing journey in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series has been a series of unfortunate incidents, much to the dismay of his grandfather and his team. His inaugural race, the Clash at Bowman Gray, set the stage for a challenging season as young Gibbs failed to qualify for the main event. This was followed by a lackluster show at the Daytona 500, where he finished a disappointing 16th.
Problems continued to mount at the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Gibbs found himself in the midst of a multi-car collision on lap 184, culminating in a regrettable 32nd-place DNF. His performance in these early races has led to a wave of criticism, raising questions about his readiness to compete at NASCAR’s highest echelons.
The downward spiral continued at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, where Gibbs ended at a dismal 34th position after yet another crash. In his last 33 races, Gibbs managed to secure only seven top-10 finishes and just two top-30 finishes in his last eight races, as noted by racing analyst Austin Konenski. This has raised eyebrows in the NASCAR community and left fans questioning whether Ty Gibbs is cut out for this level of competition.
The criticism has been particularly harsh, with many attributing Ty Gibbs’ opportunity to race for JGR primarily due to his family connections. “He needs to get out of the car that’s owned by his grandfather and feel what it’s really like to be driving for a job,” commented one disgruntled fan.
Others have used humor to express their disappointment, with comments like “Grandpa to the rescue,” and “Damn, the silver spoon isn’t working out for coach,” referring to the perceived advantages Gibbs has due to his family’s success in the sport. The term “bust” has also been thrown around, suggesting that the young driver’s performance has not lived up to the hype.
An interesting comparison has been drawn with Hailie Deegan, who shifted from NASCAR to open-wheel racing after a less-than-stellar NASCAR career. Some are speculating whether Ty Gibbs may find himself at a similar crossroads if he doesn’t turn his performance around.
As the 2025 season advances, the pressure on Ty Gibbs intensifies. It’s clear that significant improvements are needed if he wants to salvage his season and prove his worth in the high-stakes world of NASCAR. The racing community is watching, and the question remains: Can Ty Gibbs turn things around, or will he follow in the footsteps of Hailie Deegan? The future of one of NASCAR’s most respected legacies hangs in the balance.
