If Ty Gibbs’ start to the NASCAR Cup Series season is any indication, a sophomore slump may not be in the cards for the young Joe Gibbs Racing driver.
After a third-place finish in Sunday’s Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway, Gibbs snagged his third consecutive top-10 finish. The result was also his career-best in the Cup Series.
The 21-year-old racer led 57 of the 312 laps around the one-mile oval after contending near the front for the majority of the afternoon.
“I felt really good early in the run. But just that middle section, we just struggled really bad,” Gibbs said. “But, we got it figured out. Great strategy call by my crew chief. Just got to get a little bit better. But, I think we kinda know where we need to get better at.”
As Gibbs reflected on a career day, he feels confident in the direction of the No. 54 Toyota team and believes a trip to victory lane may be in the cards in the near future as the team continues to dial in the new Toyota Camry.
“Yeah, I think everybody at JGR and Toyota with this new car, they just did a great job,” Gibbs said. “We’re happy with it, but we need to get a little bit better to go out here and hopefully go and win. It’s definitely a positive from the last two Phoenix races for me.”
Through four races into the new season, Gibbs leads all full-time drivers with an average finish of 8.75.
For Gibbs’ team owner and grandfather Joe Gibbs, seeing Ty’s success in the season thus far has been a joy.
“I think anybody out there with kids or grandkids knows what I’m talking about, no matter what the sport, baseball, hitting, pitching, or basketball. It’s part of your family,” Gibbs said. “You love them to death. You want ’em to be successful at what they want to do.
Still, the NASCAR Hall of Famer is honest when it comes to his grandson’s aspirations of greater things in the Cup Series.
“This is Ty’s dream. I think from the time he was two, he’s been on something with wheels eight hours a day. Anyway, it’s a very tough climb, tough world,” Gibbs said. “He’s got to really work hard. We’ll see if he can get it done.”