Ty Gibbs heads into the 2025 NASCAR Cup season still searching for his first win in the premier division, an outcome that has fueled skepticism around whether he can silence critics who question his place at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Speculation about Ty Gibbs’ NASCAR Cup struggles intensified after prominent figures like Kyle Petty voiced concerns about Gibbs’ progress and impact on the team.
High Expectations Amid a Challenging Start
After winning the Xfinity Series championship in 2022, Ty Gibbs moved into the NASCAR Cup, now completing his third full-time season without a victory. While he commands the fast No. 54 car and brings significant connections as both the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs and co-owner of his entry, ongoing questions about his results remain. Recent events at Loudon cast further scrutiny on Gibbs when teammate Denny Hamlin spun him for aggressive blocking, sparking both internal conflict and a public debate about his future within JGR.
As part of a broadcast discussion, Doug Rice addressed the situation by asking if Gibbs would have retained his seat elsewhere given his performance. Kyle Petty, a former top driver and son of Richard Petty, responded pointedly,
“Doug Rice: If [Ty Gibbs is] racing for any other team with the results he’s had, he doesn’t keep that ride. Kyle Petty: No, this is his last year. If he’s run three years and hadn’t done any more, but especially coming off his Xfinity record. You are looking at a blue chip player that you thought was going to carry your organization forward, and he’s not taking your organization forward. Rice and Petty via GoPRNLive.”
Comparisons With JGR Teammates Highlight Pressure
Kyle Petty did not mask his disappointment when contrasting Ty Gibbs’ performances to those of his JGR colleagues. New teammate Chase Briscoe has already scored multiple Cup wins shortly after joining, Christopher Bell has translated his Xfinity success into regular Cup victories, and Denny Hamlin remains the squad’s anchor, competing for wins on a consistent basis.
Petty elaborated with a pointed comparison,
“You’ve hired Chase Briscoe, who’s come in and won races right off the bat. You’ve hired Christopher Bell, who came out of that same thing where he dominated in the Xfinity Series, but he’s stepped up in the Cup Series and is winning races. Denny Hamlin started here and is your mainstay. He’s your horse that’s winning races. Kyle Petty added.”
The implication is clear: Gibbs, given his background and equipment, should be delivering similar or better results.
JGR’s Leadership Reaction and Internal Dynamics
The controversy following the Loudon race extended to JGR’s leadership. Joe Gibbs, both Ty’s grandfather and co-owner of the team, suggested that the disagreement between Ty and Hamlin should be worked out between the drivers themselves. Kyle Petty criticized this stance, noting that handling big personalities in racing requires firmer management, especially when performance pressures mount.
Kyle Petty Endorses Hamlin’s Confrontation with Gibbs
While the New Hampshire incident generated division within JGR, Petty justified Denny Hamlin’s actions. He suggested that Gibbs, as a young driver, cannot remain shielded from criticism. Petty explained,
“I understand that from Denny. I do understand that because what Denny’s saying is that that is Ty on such a pedestal that everybody’s afraid to tell them that the emperor has no clothes? Okay? Because that’s what you need to tell him. Kyle Petty said.”
Petty believes that Hamlin’s hard-nosed approach may be precisely what Gibbs needs to recognize flaws in his decision-making. As the most experienced and decorated JGR driver, Hamlin has the authority and credibility to demand higher standards from teammates, especially from those expected to uphold the organization’s legacy.
Development and Growth Remain Essential
The larger discussion centers around Ty Gibbs’ ability to adapt in the Cup Series as the competition intensifies. Where bold moves once worked in the Xfinity ranks, they now draw criticism and sometimes retaliation at the sport’s highest level. Still, there is broad acknowledgment of his raw potential — what remains is the need to channel that ability into consistent, mature performances. As Petty stated,
“You need to tell him, ‘Learn to drive a race car, and then maybe you’ll win some races.’ Because he is a phenomenal talent. He does have that talent. He just doesn’t put it in the right places at the right time. That’s the problem. Kyle Petty added.”
For Ty Gibbs, the challenge is bridging the gap between promise and results. JGR’s legacy as a championship organization depends not only on established winners like Hamlin and Bell, but also on the next wave of contenders demonstrating growth and delivering victories.
What Might Change for Ty Gibbs and JGR?
As Ty Gibbs continues to chase that elusive first Cup win, the pressure from within JGR and throughout NASCAR is only likely to increase. With established teammates setting a high bar and leadership expectations for performance, Gibbs must adapt quickly or see his future at JGR come into question, as Kyle Petty warns. How Joe Gibbs, the JGR leadership, and Gibbs himself address these mounting concerns could define both the young driver’s trajectory and the team’s competitive direction in seasons ahead. The Ty Gibbs NASCAR Cup struggles remain a central storyline as the new season approaches, with every race now adding urgency to the calls for progress.
