Ty Gibbs, the young driver with a famous last name, has been courting controversy in the NASCAR Cup Series. His aggressive driving style and questionable on-track decisions have not gone down well with many veterans in the garage. Gibbs’ reputation took a significant blow in 2022 when he caused fellow teammate Brandon Jones to crash in the Xfinity Series Championship 4 race at Martinsville, a move designed to secure his own victory. Despite publicly acknowledging and apologizing for his error, he found little sympathy among his peers.
Noah Gragson voiced the sentiments of many when he said, “I’m just sick and tired of ‘I’m sorry, trying to learn’ deal.” Gibbs was perceived as just another privileged driver from a racing dynasty, showing little regard for others. However, Gibbs silenced his critics by clinching the 2022 Xfinity Series title, a victory that facilitated his move to the Cup series with his grandfather’s team. But his controversial tactics continued, leading to more accidents on the track.
Brad Keselowski was among those who criticized Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) for providing Gibbs the platform despite his rash driving. “I can’t be mad at Ty. I did a lot of dumber things when I was a teenager, but I wasn’t at this stage… this is not the place to learn those lessons,” Keselowski stated. As we fast forward to 2025, the debate concerning Gibbs’ suitability for the Cup Series continues to rage, particularly when talented drivers like Corey Heim are being overlooked.
As the NASCAR season unfolds in Las Vegas, Christopher Bell emerges as a championship contender, having dominated the field in the last three races. However, his impressive performance stands in stark contrast to that of Gibbs. At 22, the young Gibbs has been involved in numerous crashes, struggled to keep pace, and failed to finish races, highlighting the gap between the two Joe Gibbs Racing teammates.
Despite the controversy surrounding Gibbs, Bell has come out in his defense. He acknowledged that Gibbs is going through a challenging phase, but stressed that it’s a rite of passage every driver must endure. “If he comes to me and asks for advice or help, I help him all I can… As long as you’re prepared going into a weekend, that’s all you can do as a driver,” Bell remarked in an interview with Rubbin is Racing.
Bell’s comments underscore the fact that while critics often accuse Gibbs of benefitting from nepotism, he is more than just a racing heir. His dominant victory in the 2022 Xfinity Series championship proved his ability to handle pressure. Joe Gibbs himself refuted claims that his grandson’s NASCAR career is based solely on family connections.
Joe Gibbs passionately defended his grandson in 2023, stating, “You got to earn your way… you got to race your way.” NASCAR has a history of being a family affair, with legacy drivers such as the Earnhardts and the Elliotts facing intense scrutiny. While some, like Chase Elliott, have silenced critics with their success, others like Ty Gibbs continue to struggle. Gibbs managed to make the playoffs in 2024 after a series of strong finishes in the first half of the season. But his performance in 2025 has been disappointing, with more than five finishes of 30th or worse and no top-15 finish so far. This has sparked further debate about whether he truly deserves his spot in the No. 54 car.
Christopher Bell, a versatile racer with significant success in the Chili Bowl Nationals, World of Outlaws, and other dirt events, serves as a role model for Gibbs. Inspired by Bell’s trajectory, Gibbs has dipped his feet into dirt racing, and his respectable performance at the Chili Bowl Nationals shows promise. He is now making a more serious commitment, testing a 410 Sprint Car at Carolina Speedway with the endorsement of veteran Lynton Jeffrey, who praised his potential.
Bell and Kyle Larson are among those who have demonstrated that success on various racing tracks often translates into success in the Cup Series. For instance, Larson clinched more than 10 victories across different series before winning the 2021 championship. Bell’s victory in this year’s Chili Bowl Nationals and his current season success further validates this approach.
Gibbs is hoping to replicate their success, but the journey ahead is fraught with challenges. The Cup Series is unforgiving, and the expectations that come with the Gibbs surname elevate the pressure. Yet, if Gibbs can find his rhythm through racing in different streams, he may be able to alter the narrative surrounding his career. Until then, the pressure continues to mount, and the scrutiny shows no signs of abating.
