This weekend in Bristol, Ty Gibbs and Joe Gibbs Racing will spotlight the memory of a young boy lost to a rare cancer, as the No. 54 Toyota Camry XSE competes with his name on board. The tribute at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race — the final event in NASCAR’s Round of 16 playoffs — brings Joe Gibbs Racing Bristol tribute news to the forefront, shining a light on an emotional story of loss, courage, and hope.
Jace Kinley Thompson’s Story Inspires Bristol Tribute
Joe Gibbs Racing revealed on Instagram, in collaboration with their team’s jgr54team account and the Warrior Jace Foundation, that Ty Gibbs will honor Jace Kinley Thompson during the key playoff race. Jace’s story, shared by his family and embraced by the NASCAR community, is one marked by joy and resilience. A child who loved pancakes, the outdoors, and fast-moving vehicles, Jace was diagnosed at just four years old with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare and incurable brain cancer.
Despite facing illness, Jace remained a beacon of happiness, displaying a bravery that moved everyone around him. After his passing at age five, his family established the Warrior Jace Thompson Foundation, determined to drive awareness and research funding for DIPG, which has long lacked sufficient government attention. Recognizing both Jace’s struggle and the broader need for support, Joe Gibbs Racing’s post stated,
“As Jace’s name rides along at Bristol this Saturday, we remember his courage, his light, and his legacy — and we race for a future where no child has to face DIPG.”
The emotional tribute underscores the blend of competition and community that often defines major NASCAR events, as teams and drivers use their platforms for meaningful causes.
High Stakes at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race
This edition of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race is significant beyond its tribute, serving as the cutoff in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs’ first round. With four drivers to be eliminated by the end of the night, the energy and pressure are palpable throughout the paddock.
Confirming the scale of the event, NASCAR announced a starting grid composed of all 36 charter teams plus three open entries, totaling a 39-car lineup. Ty Gibbs and his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates — Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell — face the dual challenge of advancing in the playoffs and honoring an important cause.
Ty Gibbs and the Team’s Recent Performance at Darlington
Ty Gibbs enters the Bristol race after a challenging outing at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2025, where he finished 22nd in the Cook Out Southern 500. Team owner Joe Gibbs reflected on the race weekend in a discussion with ASAP Sports, noting both the individual journeys of each driver and the collective ambition of the team.
The race began on a hopeful note for Joe Gibbs Racing: Denny Hamlin took pole position, Chase Briscoe started second, and Christopher Bell began seventh. Ty Gibbs rolled off 16th, trailing Hamlin’s qualifying pace by over four-tenths of a second. During the race, Gibbs advanced to 12th in the first stage, but fell back to 19th in stage two, ultimately finishing 22nd after 367 laps.
Afterward, Joe Gibbs commented on the team’s playoff trajectory and his confidence in their potential, saying,
“You really look at it; all four of our cars are different stories. You go into the Playoffs with three of ‘em being in, which is awesome. Obviously, a huge focus is on that, getting a chance for them to advance,”
Joe Gibbs emphasized Ty Gibbs’s quest for a first Cup Series win, viewed as a crucial milestone for the No. 54 group. Despite Gibbs’s tough finish, Chase Briscoe claimed victory in the Southern 500, achieving consecutive Darlington wins — a feat last accomplished by Greg Biffle.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Pressure and Community Impact
The upcoming race at Bristol marks not only a pivotal chapter in the NASCAR postseason but also a heartfelt community moment. For Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing, and their partners, the Joe Gibbs Racing Bristol tribute news serves as a reminder that the sport’s human stories matter as much as on-track results. The ongoing playoff battles for teammates like Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Briscoe intersect with the legacy of young Jace Kinley Thompson, as the racing community comes together in support and remembrance.
With playoff hopes on the line and a powerful cause at center stage, Saturday’s action at Bristol promises intensity on and off the track, while furthering the effort to raise awareness for DIPG and honoring Jace’s enduring spirit.
