Joe Gibbs Racing driver Ty Gibbs is preparing for the concluding race of the NASCAR million dollar challenge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend, where his focus extends beyond the $1 million prize. Gibbs has steadily advanced through the competition after defeating Spire Motorsports’ Justin Haley, AJ Allmendinger, and Front Row Motorsports’ Zane Smith.
To reach the final, Gibbs overcame tough competition and will now face Ty Dillon, after previously competing against teammate Tyler Reddick. Reflecting on his mindset ahead of the final round, Gibbs emphasized that while the prize money is significant, winning the race itself remains his primary goal.
“I think a little bit for sure. But are, you know, our main focus is, you know, Tyler and Chris said on seriously, are they, is that we’re going for the win, and, you know, that’s, that’s the main focus. So, you know, a win for me is, more important you know, so I’m very blessed and excited to be in the situation I’m in, and I’m gonna make the best of it.” —Ty Gibbs
“We’ll see what happens here. Come with a million bucks for me. Don’t never know Indy, as we seen, it’s been a lot of wrecks at the end. A lot of people take it out, so I don’t know. See, we’ll see what happens,” he added.
Current Season Standing Reflects Ty Gibbs’s Strong Performances
As of now, Ty Gibbs holds the 16th position in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings with 448 points after 21 races this season. He has achieved six top-ten finishes and four top-five placements, making him the only Joe Gibbs Racing driver to have won a race during the 2025 season.
Despite these accomplishments, Gibbs remains outside the playoffs, trailing by 52 points and seeking to secure a spot in the postseason competition. His recent success in the in-season million dollar challenge provides a significant boost to his racing profile.
Ty Gibbs’s Focus on Victory Over Prize Money in Final Event
In a follow-up interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90, Gibbs reiterated that his first priority is winning the race itself, with the financial reward coming secondary. He expressed gratitude for his position and outlined how this tournament format has shifted attention within the sport.
“I think our main focus is to go win Indy, then kiss the bricks and then the million bucks can come after that. But very blessed to be in this position.” —Ty Gibbs
“What this in-season tournament has done — usually all the focus is on who’s going to make the last spot in the (playoffs) and who’s winning the race. That’s all the TV shows and media usually talk about. But now that the focus has shifted – racing Atlanta (in Round 1) gave us an opportunity to get this far – people are seeing that there are more interesting things going on in the sport,” he added.
Impact of the NASCAR Million Dollar Challenge on the Sport
The in-season tournament adds a thrilling dimension to the NASCAR Cup Series by spotlighting different drivers and competition dynamics. Gibbs’s progress through the bracket challenge has highlighted his resilience and determination, while offering fans new storylines beyond the traditional playoff battles.
The final showdown at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is expected to be intense, as the track has a history of late-race incidents and unpredictability. Gibbs’s focus on clinching the win rather than solely chasing the prize emphasizes his passion and competitive spirit going into this crucial event.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is Ty Dillon’s wife?
A. Channel 4’s soap opera recently revealed that Dillon is the father of Leah Barnes’s new baby boy, James. After the show’s one-year time jump, Leah had her baby, and most people in the village thought Charlie Dean, who wasn’t around, was the baby’s dad.
Q. Who is older, Austin or Ty Dillon?
A. The older Dillon brother is 27 years old, while Ty is 25. He almost chose a path other than racing for his job.
