During the Cup Series race at Sonoma on July 14, 2025, Ty Gibbs, while leading on lap 52, collided with Brad Keselowski’s tire changer in the pits, igniting a heated confrontation between the No. 54 Toyota and the No. 6 Ford crews. This Ty Gibbs pit road controversy unsettled fans and analysts alike, prompting Dale Earnhardt Jr to offer a distinctive perspective on the incident’s intent and repercussions.
Gibbs, who had been a strong competitor in recent races, including Mexico City and Chicago, where he challenged road course ace Shane Van Gisbergen, found himself at the center of criticism after this event in Sonoma. His pit road actions, especially given previous troubles, raised questions about whether the collision was accidental or a calculated message.
Dale Earnhardt Jr Compares the Incident to a Strategic Warning in Baseball
Dale Earnhardt Jr drew a parallel between Ty Gibbs’ pit incident and the “brushback pitch” in baseball, a tactic used to intimidate batters without intent to harm. According to <a href="https://www.big14news.com/nascar/”>NASCAR sources and fan interpretations, Gibbs’ bump on Keselowski’s tire changer seemed similar to this message-sending play after RFK Racing driver Chris Buescher had earlier made contact with Gibbs’ car near the end of Stage 2.
Telvin McClurkin, the tire changer for the No. 6 team, claimed Gibbs hit his hands, injuring his wrist and sparking a physical altercation on pit road that NASCAR quickly intervened to end. Despite the chaos, NASCAR cleared Gibbs of intentional wrongdoing, yet Dale Jr dissected the situation further, suggesting that such an act, if deliberate, could be seen as a warning rather than pure aggression.
“I saw this comment on social media, a guy named Jerry, I believe. He said that this was akin to the ‘brushback’ pitch in baseball, where you’ll throw high and inside and get the batter to back up off the plate. Or maybe something happened in the game; there was some contact. Or a bad pitch from the previous inning that p—ed everybody off on that team. The pitcher from the other team goes in and gets one in there, tight. It’s like a message, right? I would say, if anything, that’s what this is.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr
Nonetheless, the severity and risks associated with pit road incidents bring a different kind of scrutiny, especially considering Gibbs’ past behavior. In a 2022 Texas Cup race, Gibbs was penalized $75,000 for aggressively broad-siding a rival’s car near RFK Racing crew members. This history complicates any justification for his actions in Sonoma.
“If you could prove it to be intentional, he should be penalized because you can’t use your race car in a danger situation around bodies on pit road, right…And he’s got a little bit of a history here. I think he’s been penalized before for some things on pit road.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr
“But how do you prove it to be intentional? That’s the question, so we can’t prove it, unless he admits it.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr
Examining Whether Ty Gibbs Deliberately Retaliated Against the Rival Team
Some observers initially questioned whether Gibbs’ pit road collision was an act of retaliation against Brad Keselowski’s crew for the earlier bump from teammate Chris Buescher. Dale Earnhardt Jr disputed this line of thinking by reflecting on his own experience in racing, where drivers rarely punish a rival’s teammate as a means of retribution during a race.
“When I got p—ed off at a driver, I didn’t start taking it out on his teammates if I couldn’t reach him or couldn’t somehow affect his race or get him back. It never crosses your mind to go ‘Well, I’ll f–k his teammate over, that’ll show him.’ I just can’t believe that Ty Gibbs, his mind went there, because I don’t think it did.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr
NASCAR’s official review supported this reasoning by highlighting regulations that allow drivers to cross up to three pit boxes when entering their own. In this instance, Gibbs’ maneuver was considered within the rules, lessening suspicions of malicious intent.
Experienced NASCAR Figures Offer Their Insights Supporting Gibbs’ Case
Kyle Petty, a seasoned veteran and former tire changer himself, also weighed in on the controversy from a crew member’s perspective. His background gives him a firm understanding of how pit crews and drivers navigate the crowded, high-pressure pit environment during races.
“I got hit multiple times in my career as a tire carrier. And finally, (Richard Petty’s crew chief Dale) Inman told me, ‘Hey, that driver’s focused on his box. He’s focused on that sign. You stay out of his way.’ And that’s what it kind of boils down to sometimes. It was my job to stay out of that guy’s way.”
—Kyle Petty
“No, I don’t have an issue with what Ty did.”
—Kyle Petty
These insights help illustrate the nuances of pit road dynamics and indicate that incidents such as Gibbs’ collision may not always stem from hostile intent but can occur in the midst of fast-paced, complex pit stops.
Legacy of the Incident and Its Effect on Ty Gibbs’ Reputation
The Ty Gibbs pit road controversy has stirred emotions throughout the NASCAR community, dividing opinions among fans, veterans, and commentators. Dale Earnhardt Jr’s balanced approach—acknowledging both the potential message behind the incident and the difficulty in proving intent—highlights the complexity faced by NASCAR officials in maintaining safety without stifling competitive edge.
Given Gibbs’ prior disciplinary history, continued scrutiny on his pit road conduct is expected to remain intense among NASCAR officials and fans. This incident also intensifies the pressure on RFK Racing to manage internal relations and public perceptions, especially as Ty Gibbs continues to be a formidable presence on the track.
Moving forward, debates over safety protocols and driver accountability on pit road are likely to endure, with NASCAR officials possibly reviewing rules to prevent similar controversies. Meanwhile, drivers like Gibbs will need to carefully balance aggression and caution to avoid penalties or reputational damage during critical race moments.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Ty Gibbs drive the 54?
A. In 2022, Gibbs started competing full-time in the Xfinity Series. He drove the No. 54 Toyota for his grandfather, Joe Gibbs, who owns the team. That year, he gained attention by achieving seven victories and securing a spot in the playoffs. Additionally, Gibbs had an opportunity to race in the Cup Series at Pocono Raceway.
Q. Is Ty Gibbs any good?
A. Based on Racing Insights, Gibbs is among the top 10 for passing, defense, and restarts on road tracks this season. He holds a fourth-place rank with an average running position of 10.92.
Q. Has Ty Gibbs ever won?
A. Ty Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, made a big impact in NASCAR in 2021 by winning his first Xfinity Series race at Daytona Road Course. In 2022, he began competing full-time in the Xfinity Series and won the championship in his first season.
Q. Has Ty Gibbs won?
A. In 2022, Gibbs joined the Xfinity Series as a full-time racer and won the championship in his debut season.
