During the recent Joe Gibbs Racing post-race interview at Bristol Motor Speedway, team owner Joe Gibbs discussed Ty Gibbs‘ determination to abandon patience and pursue more aggressive strategies on the track. The conversation gave insight into Ty Gibbs‘ mindset following a rollercoaster performance at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Sunday, September 13, 2025.
Ty Gibbs Pushes Aggressively in Bristol Race
At the 500-lap Bristol event, Ty Gibbs demonstrated notable speed in his Toyota Camry XSE, qualifying fourth with a lap time of 15.14 seconds and reaching a top speed of 126.78 mph. Gibbs started strong, moving quickly into the lead by overtaking the #10 Chevy driver on lap 24. He went on to command an impressive 201 laps at the front and claimed a victory in stage two, putting himself and the #54 team in a competitive position.
Despite his dominance through much of the race, Ty Gibbs encountered a problem with just 50 laps remaining. A missed opportunity to pit while dealing with a deflated right-front tire forced him to make another lap, diminishing his momentum. This pit road issue ultimately cost him a higher finish, as he crossed the line in tenth place, trailing his teammate Chase Briscoe. Meanwhile, Christopher Bell, driving the #20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, secured first place at Bristol and advanced to the next phase of the 2025 NASCAR playoffs.
Joe Gibbs Reveals Ty Gibbs’ Evolving Approach
Reflecting on his grandson’s performance and change in attitude, Joe Gibbs highlighted a recent exchange on the topic of racing tactics:
“Yeah, this sport is really hard, and I keep telling him honestly I use the word ‘patience’. And two races ago, we were talking after the race, and he said, “Coach, will you quit using the word ‘patience’? I don’t want you to ever use it again.” So patience is out the window. We’re trying to win here.”
—Joe Gibbs, Owner
“And so no, I just think he knows this is what he’s going to do, you know, his entire life. And so he’s after it. And I think I admire, like I said, our entire 54 team, to be truthful. They’re young, but the pit crew, everybody, they just keep fighting. So it’s really great.”
—Joe Gibbs, Owner
Joe Gibbs emphasized the drive and resilience within the #54 team, noting that the group, despite its youth, has shown perseverance and teamwork in challenging situations. The sentiment underscores Ty Gibbs’ evolving approach—aiming to push harder for victories rather than settling for gradual progress.
Performance Trends in Recent Races
After the Bristol event, attention shifted to the aftermath of the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway held on August 31, 2025. Joe Gibbs participated in a candid post-race interview with ASAP Sports, discussing strategies and aspirations for Ty Gibbs and the #54 team. When asked about his plans, particularly regarding Ty Gibbs’ quest for his first NASCAR Cup Series victory, he responded with clarity:
“For the 54, we’re trying to win the first race, so that’s a huge deal. There’s a lot each week when we go to the racetrack. We kind of all work together at the shop. When we get to the racetrack, it pretty much divides up; everybody is kind of on their own. We still share some information,” he added.
—Joe Gibbs, Owner
Darlington presented challenges for Ty Gibbs. During qualifying, his teammate Denny Hamlin claimed the pole position with his #11 Toyota Camry XSE, closely followed by Chase Briscoe in second and Christopher Bell in seventh. Ty Gibbs, in the #54 car, qualified sixteenth, trailing the pole sitter by 0.43 seconds. In the race itself, he started slowly, finishing the first stage in twelfth and slipping to nineteenth in the next segment, before ending the main event outside the top twenty, in twenty-second place.
Strong Toyota Presence in the Playoffs
Toyota, represented by Joe Gibbs Racing, has displayed strength throughout the Round of 16 in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Chase Briscoe, behind the wheel of the #19 Toyota Camry XSE, took the win in the opening race of this stage. Denny Hamlin secured another victory during the Enjoy Illinois 300, bolstering Toyota’s status. Most recently, Christopher Bell claimed the top spot in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, further exemplifying Toyota’s impact and consistency this season.
For Ty Gibbs, these recent races reflect both setbacks and growth as he adapts a more assertive driving style, encouraged by Joe Gibbs and inspired by his teammates‘ successes. With determination rising inside the Joe Gibbs Racing camp, the #54 team stands poised to capitalize on future opportunities in the ongoing NASCAR playoffs.
