Ty Gibbs is making headlines following his awkward camera incident at Talladega during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. On Saturday, the 22-year-old driver for Joe Gibbs Racing continued to gain momentum in what has been a challenging season, where his best finish in the first six races was 16th at Daytona. However, he has recently showcased improvements, finishing 13th at Martinsville, ninth at Darlington, and third at Bristol, ultimately earning a solid 10th starting position for Sunday’s race.
Despite his on-track achievements, it was Gibbs’ actions off the track that sparked conversations among fans and commentators alike. During the qualifying event for the race, Gibbs found himself in a tense situation as he was vying for the last position available in the race against his teammate Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson. As Hamlin completed his run, Gibbs approached a camera, leading to an unexpected moment.
“And the Gibbs cars right now all in one cluster with Hamlin 13th, just behind Gibbs and Bell and just ahead of Briscoe,” noted commentator Mike Joy as the tension build up. “That’s amazing. Six one hundredths,” Clint Bowyer added, capturing the competitive spirit of the moment.
However, in a surprising turn, Gibbs walked directly toward the camera, pushed it aside, and asked, “What do you want?” before retreating to a nearby toolbox. This peculiar interaction prompted Joy to quip, “What do we want? A reaction,” highlighting the unexpected nature of Gibbs’ response.
This isn’t the first time fans have witnessed such memorable moments from Ty Gibbs. Over the past three years, there have been incidents where he has pushed cameras away, including a similar occurrence at Talladega in 2022, and another at Watkins Glen where he abruptly moved a camera operator’s lens away from his car window. These moments raise questions about Gibbs’ comfort level in front of the lens and whether this reflects a broader trend in his career.
The impact of these incidents might resonate beyond mere awkwardness; they could signal a struggle with media interactions that may affect how fans perceive Gibbs as a rising star in NASCAR. As he continues to evolve on the track, the juxtaposition of his competitive spirit with these off-track moments might define his narrative moving forward. Fans are left to wonder if this constitutes a trend that warrants attention as Gibbs navigates the challenges of professional racing.
