As the 2025 NASCAR Cup season began, Ty Gibbs entered with the clear objective of claiming his first Cup victory and shutting down critics who accuse him of benefiting solely from family ties. The grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs and co-owner of the No. 54 car, Gibbs, the 2022 Xfinity Series champion, has now completed three years in NASCAR’s premier series without securing a win despite having one of the fastest cars on the track. This ongoing struggle has sparked significant debate within the racing community, especially after a recent on-track incident at Loudon involving veteran teammate Denny Hamlin.
The controversy centers around an aggressive maneuver by Gibbs that led to him being spun out by Hamlin during a race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This incident intensified scrutiny on Gibbs’s performance and approach to racing, with some viewing it as a reflection of his inability to effectively transition from the Xfinity level to consistent success in the Cup Series. Former driver Kyle Petty shared his unfiltered opinion during a broadcast on GoPRNLive, stating that if Gibbs were part of any other organization besides Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), he would have already lost his seat due to poor results and attitude.
Kyle Petty Criticizes Ty Gibbs’s Performance and Future at JGR
Kyle Petty expressed strong reservations about Gibbs’s place within the JGR lineup, emphasizing that after three years without meaningful progression, the young driver is failing to meet the expectations of a “blue chip” talent destined to lead the team’s future. Petty remarked on how Gibbs is not advancing the team as anticipated, especially given his history of dominating the Xfinity Series prior to his ascent to the Cup level. His comments underline a growing impatience with the driver’s inconsistency and unfulfilled potential.
Doug Rice: If [Ty Gibbs is] racing for any other team with the results he’s had, he doesn’t keep that ride.
Kyle Petty: No, this is his last year. If he’s run three years and hadn’t done any more, but especially coming off his Xfinity record. You are looking at a blue chip player that you thought was going to carry your organization forward, and he’s not taking your organization forward.
Rice and Petty via GoPRNLive.
Petty drew direct comparisons between Gibbs and his current JGR teammates, who have delivered more consistent and tangible results despite entering the Cup Series under similar pressures. Chase Briscoe, a recent addition to the team, has already clinched multiple race victories, while Christopher Bell has steadily proven himself as the most reliable performer on the squad. Longtime JGR driver Denny Hamlin remains the cornerstone for strong finishes across various track types. This contrast highlights Gibbs’s struggle to measure up within a highly competitive environment.
You’ve hired Chase Briscoe, who’s come in and won races right off the bat. You’ve hired Christopher Bell, who came out of that same thing where he dominated in the Xfinity Series, but he’s stepped up in the Cup Series and is winning races. Denny Hamlin started here and is your mainstay. He’s your horse that’s winning races.
Kyle Petty added.
Beyond on-track performance, the tension surrounding Gibbs also spills over into team dynamics. When asked about owner Joe Gibbs’s decision to remain detached from the conflict following the Loudon incident, Petty took issue with the lack of direct intervention. Joe Gibbs, a respected NFL Hall of Fame coach and racing team leader, chose not to publicly address the clash, suggesting instead that the drivers resolve their differences privately. Petty believes this hands-off approach sets a poor example for managing strong personalities within the team.
Support for Denny Hamlin’s Response to the New Hampshire Incident
Although critical of the incident itself, Kyle Petty offered insight into why Denny Hamlin might have felt compelled to respond firmly to Gibbs’s aggressive driving. Petty argued that Gibbs has been placed “on such a pedestal” that those around him hesitate to challenge his decisions or call out his shortcomings. He praised Hamlin as potentially the most qualified figure within JGR to deliver necessary criticism and hold Gibbs accountable for his behavior and racecraft.
I understand that from Denny. I do understand that because what Denny’s saying is that that is Ty on such a pedestal that everybody’s afraid to tell them that the emperor has no clothes? Okay? Because that’s what you need to tell him.
Kyle Petty said.
Petty went further to assert that Gibbs’s underlying talent is undeniable, yet his timing and application during races leave much to be desired. The former driver suggested that without learning how to truly master racecar control, Gibbs will continue to fall short of achieving wins at the Cup level. This candid critique signifies that mere speed alone won’t guarantee success without improved strategic thinking and maturity on the track.
You need to tell him, ‘Learn to drive a race car, and then maybe you’ll win some races.’ Because he is a phenomenal talent. He does have that talent. He just doesn’t put it in the right places at the right time. That’s the problem.
Kyle Petty added.
The ongoing debate about Gibbs’s future raises questions about how JGR will handle his development moving forward. Given Hamlin’s long-standing experience with the family-owned team and his own track record, many view him as the best candidate to mentor and push Gibbs toward better performance and professionalism. Petty’s remarks suggest that the team as a whole, including its veteran drivers and leadership, must strike a balance between nurturing young talent and maintaining competitive standards.
Ty Gibbs’s path in the 2025 season is under close observation, as every race offers an opportunity to demonstrate growth and silence critics. With the JGR team competing under the Toyota banner and balancing multiple championship contenders, Gibbs’s role carries significant weight. The outcome of this season could be pivotal in determining whether Gibbs remains part of the organization or if the pressure for results leads to a change in his career trajectory.
