Ty Gibbs favored for NASCAR challenge is the prevailing narrative as the bracket tightens for the next Dover event, with DraftKings Sportsbook putting Gibbs at the top ahead of his competitors. This comes as drivers pursue a million-dollar payday in NASCAR’s ongoing In-Season Challenge, a contest that has seen many favorites drop out due to unexpected incidents.
Unexpected Shakeups Lead to Gibbs Taking the Lead
The 2025 NASCAR season is already historic, highlighted by standout moments like Shane van Gisbergen‘s dual series victories in Chicago. However, it is the in-season challenge that has generated the most intrigue, particularly with the substantial $1 million prize, earned first by Christopher Bell in the All-Star race while the challenge persists for others.
DraftKings released odds for Round 3 of the In-Season Challenge, significantly favoring Ty Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 54 entry. The bracket has rapidly narrowed as crashes and mechanical issues removed many top-seeded racers and previous race winners, including names like Tyler Reddick, Justin Haley, and Alex Bowman. The remaining pool highlights Gibbs as a leading contender, despite a career that has drawn both criticism and support.
Public interest spiked when NASCAR’s official account posted odds for the next stage, underscoring the rarity of the situation: Gibbs now stands out as a calculated favorite according to the latest gaming projections. The post posed questions to fans about who might advance:
“Who do you have moving on to the penultimate round in the inaugural In-Season Challenge? Odds via @DKSportsbook.”
—NASCAR Official Channel
Gibbs’ odds, marked at -330, are higher than any other driver still in the mix, particularly when compared to rival Zane Smith, signaling strong industry belief in Gibbs’ abilities for this format.
Inside Gibbs’ Ups and Downs on the Road to Dover
Gibbs’ track record this season may not match his previous year’s dominance, yet the current challenge format has delivered more surprises than expected. With just four races left as qualifiers for the Dover showdown, the list of competitors includes Zane Smith, Alex Bowman, Ty Dillon, Ryan Preece, John Hunter Nemechek, Tyler Reddick, and Erik Jones—each with their own setbacks along the way.
Gibbs’ path through this challenge has included notable matchups. In Round 1 at EchoPark Speedway, Justin Haley was the last seed Gibbs faced. That race turned turbulent during Lap 184, when a caution affected contenders and a collision with Ty Dillon forced Haley into a spin and subsequent repairs. Gibbs managed to avoid serious setbacks and finished in 14th place, demonstrating both luck and resilience.
In the following round on the Chicago Road Course, Gibbs met AJ Allmendinger, who started from the 16th position, led two laps, and completed the race in 6th. Despite the early chaos—including a Lap 3 incident involving Carson Hocevar that caused minor damage to Allmendinger—Gibbs started ninth and worked his way steadily up to finish second. Throughout, he stuck to a strategy of caution and consistency, a method that kept him out of trouble and placed him advantageously as others faltered.
Rival Commentary and Prospects for the Million-Dollar Finish
Gibbs’ chances have been openly discussed by both spectators and fellow racers such as Chase Briscoe, who have remarked on his unique position going into the penultimate round. The remaining qualifying races will determine if Gibbs’ steady approach can withstand continued mechanical unpredictability and the aggressive styles of competitors like John Hunter Nemechek and Ty Dillon.
With the in-season challenge offering a rare second opportunity for a million-dollar reward and with many early favorites sidelined by crashes and technical issues, the focus intensifies on Ty Gibbs. As fans anticipate the upcoming showdown at Dover, all eyes are on whether Gibbs can convert his strong odds and careful maneuvering into victory amid a turbulent season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Ty Gibbs drive the 54?
A. In 2022, Gibbs competed full-time in the Xfinity Series. He drove the No. 54 Toyota for his grandfather, Joe Gibbs, who owned the team.
Q. Has Ty Gibbs ever won?
A. Ty Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, made a strong NASCAR debut in 2021 by winning his first Xfinity Series race at the Daytona Road Course. In 2022, Gibbs became a full-time Xfinity Series driver and won the championship during his first season.
Q. Has Ty Gibbs won?
A. In 2022, Gibbs won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. In 2021, he claimed the ARCA Menards Series title. He is the grandson of Joe Gibbs, who used to coach in the NFL and now owns a NASCAR team. Gibbs is also part-owner of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR).
