During a tense NASCAR Cup Series event at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night, Ty Gibbs and his team experienced unexpected radio interference in a season already marked by challenges. The Ty Gibbs NASCAR radio incident Richmond highlighted not only communications problems but also the mounting pressures on Gibbs as he fights to keep his playoff dreams alive.
A Difficult Year for Ty Gibbs and Joe Gibbs Racing
Entering the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, Ty Gibbs has struggled to replicate the success that saw him reach the playoffs for the first time in 2024. With only one race left before the postseason and no wins through 25 events, the No. 54 driver faces steep odds, needing a victory at Daytona to secure another playoff berth. Gibbs, partnering with first-year crew chief Tyler Allen, has collected six top-10s and four top-5s this year, but that elusive first career win has yet to happen after 112 starts.
Tensions have risen within Joe Gibbs Racing, as Gibbs remains the team’s only driver not currently qualifying for the playoffs. The frustration boiled over earlier in the season at Iowa, where a heated exchange was heard between Gibbs and JGR Competition Director Chris Gabehart, who has also stepped in as a temporary crew chief in recent weeks.
Communication Mishaps Highlight Ongoing Struggles
The emotional environment shifted slightly at Richmond, with Gibbs and Gabehart showing better alignment on race strategy early in the night. As Gibbs confirmed over the radio, he was clear on the next steps and expressed he was “having fun.” However, during the race, a technical glitch with team radios led to an unexpected interruption when chatter from Corey Heim’s 23XI Racing crew chief Bootie Barker suddenly came through on Gibbs’ channel.
“I got Bootie Barker’s radio channel on mine as well,”
Gibbs reported. —Ty Gibbs, Driver
“We running some split radios or what?”
Gibbs continued. —Ty Gibbs, Driver
Gabehart, surprised by the frequency interference, responded,
“Boy, I don’t know about that,”
before adding,
“That’s some sort of frequency issue somebody above me will have to figure out.”
—Chris Gabehart, JGR Competition Director
Lightening the mood, Gibbs joked, “Tell Bootie to shut up,” noting, “He’s screaming on my radio.” —Ty Gibbs, Driver
Gabehart followed up, asking,
“Is that the first time you’ve heard him or have you been hearing him?”
—Chris Gabehart, JGR Competition Director
“I’ve been hearing him,” Gibbs answered. —Ty Gibbs, Driver
Despite the distraction, Gibbs managed to maintain focus and finish 18th—a small improvement and his first top-20 finish in four races.
Aftermath: Frustration, Resilience, and What Lies Ahead
The radio mix-up at Richmond Raceway provided a window into the strained, and at times lighthearted, atmosphere surrounding Ty Gibbs as he contends with both internal and external pressures. With only one last shot at Daytona to secure a postseason spot, Gibbs and his team must overcome not just technical missteps but the weight of unmet expectations from the 2025 season. Joe Gibbs Racing will be looking to resolve both communication and performance issues as they head into a crucial race that could define Gibbs’ year.
