Ty Gibbs experienced another difficult day at Watkins Glen, finishing 33rd and continuing his recent streak of poor performances. His frustrations were clearly audible over the radio during the race, sparking a sharp retort from new team strategist Chris Gabehart after Gibbs questioned their tactical decisions. The ongoing difficulties highlight the challenges Gibbs faces as he strives to find his footing in the Cup Series.
New Strategist Chris Gabehart’s Role and Response
Chris Gabehart, previously Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, joined Gibbs’ team in June to act as a strategist and consultant, aiming to help the team convert near victories into wins. At Watkins Glen, Gibbs started the race in 14th position but began losing ground late in Stage 2 following a collision with John Hunter Nemechek that sent Nemechek spinning.
During the final 34 laps, Gibbs struggled severely with rear grip and expressed dissatisfaction with both his No. 54 Toyota Camry’s handling and the strategy called by his team. Frustrated, he radioed in,
We’re f***ed right now. So we gotta do something different,
which prompted a blunt reply from Gabehart at the pit box:
Well, I’m sure you’ve got a real good understanding of that from inside the car. So, you know, you can call the strategy if you want, or we can keep rolling. But I (would) do the best I could to go as fast as I can.
Gibbs responded with a terse 10-4, signaling reluctant acknowledgment.
Race Incidents and Strategy Challenges
Further complications arose as Gibbs attempted to regain position by passing Ryan Preece, but a move by Christopher Bell on Alex Bowman forced Gibbs to slow down. This obstruction cost him valuable time as he struggled to overtake Bowman, which Gabehart later explained contributed to the loss of rear traction.
Reflecting on the tension and the difficult decision-making under pressure, Gabehart said,
Of course, it’s heated. It’s a hot day, and the driver’s working his butt off in there and doesn’t know the details of who’s on what for strategy.
He noted that a caution early in Stage 2 had split the field among differing strategic approaches, leaving drivers uncertain about how to benchmark themselves against others and adding to the confusion about the next course of action on pit road.
Gabehart further explained,
And on the pit box, you’re working to figure all that out as those cautions fall. There’s only so much prep work that you can do prior to when it happens. Now, what do we do? And that’s the moment that was going on there.
Final Pit Stop and Resulting Outcome
During the final round of pit stops on Lap 81, Gibbs suggested his own plan to pit then stay out under an anticipated caution to gain track position. Gabehart agreed and brought the No. 54 car in for four fresh tires. Unfortunately, the expected yellow flag never appeared, leaving Gibbs out of position for the closing stages. He finished 33rd, marking his worst result since March’s Circuit of the Americas race.
Ty Gibbs’ Performance Within the Team Context
Ty Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, is still searching for his first Cup Series win since securing the 2022 Xfinity Series championship. While his teammates—Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell—have each clinched playoff berths this season through victories, Gibbs’ results have been inconsistent. His recent performance shows a downward trend after a strong mid-season run.
After a third-place finish at Michigan, Gibbs managed several top-15 finishes, including 11th in Mexico City, 14th at Pocono, and 14th again in Atlanta. He followed this with a streak of top-10 finishes: second in Chicago, seventh at Sonoma, and fifth at Dover. However, the momentum has faltered with back-to-back 21st-place finishes at Indianapolis and Iowa immediately preceding the difficult day at Watkins Glen.
Implications and Outlook
The struggle at Watkins Glen, compounded by visible tension between driver and strategist, underscores the challenges Ty Gibbs faces adapting to the high-pressure environment of the Cup Series. With victories proving elusive despite individual moments of promise, the team must address both performance and communication dynamics to improve outcomes. As Gibbs continues to pursue his first Cup victory, how the team responds to this challenging phase may shape his trajectory for the remainder of the season.
