Ty Gibbs’ recent on-track conflict with teammate Denny Hamlin has intensified the ongoing Ty Gibbs NASCAR controversy, raising serious questions about his status within Joe Gibbs Racing. According to Kyle Petty, if Ty Gibbs were not the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, he would likely have been dismissed already following the incident that unfolded this past Sunday.
Petty expressed strong criticism during the latest Performance Racing Network’s Fast Talk episode regarding Joe Gibbs’ decision to stay out of the dispute between Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin. Joe Gibbs reportedly chose to let the two drivers resolve their differences themselves, a method he claims has always worked for his team in managing driver disagreements.
Frustrations Emerge After On-Track Incident With Hamlin
The tension came to a head when Hamlin, clearly upset after making contact with Ty Gibbs on the track, aired his frustrations over the team radio. Hamlin questioned the team’s unwillingness to directly address Gibbs’ behavior, conveying feelings that others might also be reluctant to confront the young driver. He asked,
“What is he [Ty Gibbs] doing? Are they afraid to talk to him? That’s what I feel like. They’re just scared of him.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gale, responded cautiously, focusing on the race itself and promising a later conversation. Gale said,
“I don’t know the answer to that right now. I’m just focused on trying to get the 11 the best finish. We’ll talk about it after. I promise.”
—Chris Gale, crew chief
Kyle Petty interpreted Hamlin’s remark as a sign that Ty Gibbs is being protected within the team despite his ongoing challenges. Petty stated,
“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. You need to tell him, ‘Learn to drive a race car, and then maybe you’ll win some races.’”
While acknowledging Ty Gibbs’ undeniable talent, Petty highlighted a fundamental flaw in his racecraft, saying,
“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.”
Grandpa Joe’s Faith in Ty Gibbs Leads to Controversial Promotion
Ty Gibbs’ rapid rise through the racing ranks was strongly influenced by his grandfather, Joe Gibbs, who made a decisive move to welcome his grandson into the NASCAR Cup Series. This bold decision involved not renewing the contract of two-time Cup champion Kyle Busch and giving Ty the full-time Cup Series seat in 2023. However, since his promotion, Ty Gibbs has struggled to live up to expectations.
In 102 Cup Series starts, Gibbs has yet to secure a win, missed the playoffs twice in three seasons, and only once qualified for the postseason, finishing 15th in 2024. Kyle Petty argued that Ty’s struggles in the top tier highlight the limitations of dominating lower-level series. Petty said,
“That’s the problem with a superior car in the Xfinity Series. When you go out and kick butt week in and week out, you still don’t know how to race. You didn’t learn how to race outrunning everybody. You don’t know how to race when you dominate a series.”
He further explained the importance of “race craft,” adding,
“You have to learn how to race. And Ty, I believe in a lot of ways, is still learning how to race. And Denny gave him a lesson [at Loudon]. I’m not saying it was the right lesson, but Denny taught him a lesson.”
Tight Grip of Nepotism Raises Questions About Future at Joe Gibbs Racing
During the Fast Talk broadcast, host Doug Rice bluntly noted the precarious nature of Ty Gibbs’ position, saying,
“If [Ty Gibbs is] racing for any other team with the results he’s had, he doesn’t keep that ride.”
Kyle Petty agreed, elaborating,
“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.”
Petty contrasted Ty Gibbs’ Cup Series output with other drivers who have stepped into Joe Gibbs Racing and delivered immediate results, such as Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell. Petty pointed out,
“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.”
This disparity highlights the significant pressure on Ty Gibbs to perform, especially given the family connection with team owner Joe Gibbs. If Ty continues to falter without securing race wins, the question remains: how long will Joe Gibbs maintain his grandson’s place before seeking a more competitive driver?
