The Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 team has struggled this season, but a significant addition could mark a turning point. Robert ‘Cheddar’ Smith has joined the team as the new car chief, bringing fresh expertise and experience. Working alongside crew chief Tyler Allen and the promising young driver Ty Gibbs, this team hopes to turn its slow start around. Currently, Gibbs ranks 31st in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings, despite his team’s ability to secure four wins in seven races. His best finish this year was a 13th place at Martinsville.
Smith’s addition comes with a wealth of experience, having worked as a right-hand man to Rodney Childers at Stewart-Haas Racing with Kevin Harvick, and more recently, at Spire Motorsports with Justin Haley. The move to JGR was praised by their competition director Chris Gabehart, who spoke on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, highlighting the value of Smith’s experience and leadership qualities. Gabehart expressed confidence that Smith’s presence would enhance the team’s synergy, providing essential support to Gibbs.
At just 22, Ty Gibbs is no stranger to success. He captured the 2022 Xfinity Series championship and his rookie season in 2023 featured impressive highlights with four top-5s and 10 top-10s, leading to an 18th-place championship result. Additionally, during his playoffs run last year, Gibbs achieved eight top-5s, 12 top-10s, and two pole positions, finishing 15th in the standings. Now, with Smith on board, the team anticipates a boost in performance, aiming to improve Gibbs’s standing further and perhaps secure more victories.
Smith’s arrival is seen as a strategic move to propel Ty Gibbs and the No. 54 team towards greater achievements. The dynamic combination of Smith’s expertise and Gibbs’s potential suggests an optimistic future. Both fans and analysts will closely watch how this change unfolds, anticipating better outcomes for the young driver amid the challenges of the season.
