18-year-old Ty Gibbs may very well be NASCAR’s next big star
Could the grandson of veteran NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs become the next big thing in the sport?
By Michael Eubanks
Race fans, get used to hearing the name Ty Gibbs.
A lot.
The 18-year-old grandson of longtime NASCAR team owner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs has been making quite the name for himself lately and also NASCAR history in the process.
Last Saturday, Gibbs became just the sixth driver in Xfinity Series history to win in his debut race, and he’s only the first in NASCAR’s modern era (1972-present) to win in his first national series start.
Gibbs did that by holding off defending Xfinity Series champion Austin Cindric to win at the Daytona International Speedway road course.
“Winning this past weekend in Daytona was really a dream come true for me,” Gibbs said. “I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel again.”
Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images
Earlier this week, he learned exactly when he’ll be back behind the wheel in Xfinity, as Joe Gibbs Racing announced the younger Gibbs will run in 14 additional Xfinity Series this season, meaning he could very well rack up more victories at NASCAR’s second-highest level this year.
That’s in addition to the full ARCA schedule he’ll also run this year. Not surprisingly, based upon what he’s done in that series so far, Gibbs is among the favorites to win the ARCA title this season.
“I know I still have a lot to learn, but I have great teams behind me in both ARCA and Xfinity and I’m so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with all of them. I’m just really excited for the rest of the year.”
Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images
As amazing a feat that his win Saturday was, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to those who follow stock car racing’s lower levels.
In 28 ARCA Menards Series starts, Gibbs has eight victories - including six last season. He finished fifth in the overall standings in 2020 despite missing four races.
And nearly two weeks ago, on February 13 at Daytona International Speedway, he started off the 2021 ARCA season with a fourth-place finish.
Based on how other young drivers have made their way up the NASCAR ladder in recent years, one would have to assume that if the younger Gibbs’ development continues to move upward, he could potentially run full-time in Xfinity in 2022 and '23 before moving up to Cup in 2024.
Or, he could potentially compete in the Truck Series next season, and then maybe move up to Xfinity in 2023 and 2024 and then be ready for Cup in 2025.
Obviously, given Gibbs’ youth, there’s plenty of time and no need to rush his development, but if Saturday’s showing is any indication of what’s to come from this young man, he could definitely morph into one of NASCAR’s rising stars sooner rather than later.
While it’s a given that Gibbs will drive for his family’s team in the future, some fans may be quick to criticize the young driver due to those same family ties. Yes, there will be pressure on him to perform and succeed, but the talent he’s shown thus far in ARCA — and now the Xfinity Series — proves he’s the real deal and that his talent warrants a full-time ride in the next year or two regardless of his last name.
That talent is reminiscent of and reminds me of another skilled driver who flashed onto the scene 13 years ago, namely Joey Logano.
At the same age as Gibbs, the then-18-year-old Logano became the youngest driver to win in the Xfinity series, although it took him until his third start to accomplish that feat.
When Logano made his Xfinity debut, he was a hot commodity. He quickly received a nickname of “sliced bread” because many in the sport felt he was the best thing since — as in “he’s the best thing since sliced bread.”
Sure, it took Logano a few years to finally find his footing in Cup, his career still has flourished since. Logano has won 26 Cup races, the 2015 Daytona 500, and the 2018 Cup Series title - and he’s still only 30. He could easily race and win in Cup for another 15 seasons.
Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images
As for Gibbs, time will ultimately tell how his career turns out, but I’m very confident he has what it takes to become the next Logano. If he does, his name will be one we’ll be hearing for a long time to come.
Just as Gibbs is excited to race this year, I’m excited to watch him. My only hope is that you are too.
Ty Gibbs’ remaining Xfinity Series schedule for 2021
March 13 at Phoenix Raceway
April 9 at Martinsville Speedway
May 8 at Darlington Raceway
May 15 at Dover International Speedway
May 29 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
June 5 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
June 27 at Pocono Raceway
July 3 at Road America
Aug. 7 at Watkins Glen International
Aug. 14 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course
Aug. 21 at Michigan International Speedway
Sept. 11 at Richmond Raceway
Oct. 9 at Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL
Oct. 23 at Kansas Speedway