Ty Gibbs, recently criticized for his actions at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, drew praise on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway for helping his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate instead of chasing his own victory. The decision has fueled debate among NASCAR Cup Series observers, with many now calling him “teammate of the year” and placing the focus keyword — Ty Gibbs teammate of the year — directly in the spotlight after his selfless racing approach.
From Criticized Teammate to Supportive Partner
Just one month ago, Ty Gibbs came under scrutiny after a contentious moment at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where he aggressively raced against his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin. That battle just outside the top 10 finished with Hamlin spinning Gibbs, who was then criticized for what Hamlin described as “teammate bullsh*t,” reflecting lingering tensions during the NASCAR Cup Series championship campaign.
The atmosphere shifted dramatically in Sunday’s Round of 8 race at Talladega Superspeedway, where Gibbs had the chance to pursue his first Cup Series win. Instead, he chose to push another teammate, Chase Briscoe, across the finish line, ignoring the opportunity to try passing for the victory himself. This pivotal choice prompted a new narrative, with Jeff Gluck of The Athletic remarking:
“Ty Gibbs, instead of going, you know what, I’m going to give myself the best chance for my first win, which would probably be to push Bubba [Wallace] far out enough and give the chance to maybe get past Briscoe or maybe make it three-wide or something,”
– Jeff Gluck, The Athletic
Gluck continued, highlighting the sportsmanship displayed by Gibbs as he stayed aligned with Briscoe and acted as his “wingman”:
“He says, you know what, I’m gonna follow Briscoe down through, and I’m going to push Briscoe and be his wingman. Ty Gibbs, teammate of the year.”
– Jeff Gluck, The Athletic
Briscoe and Others Praise Gibbs’ Unselfish Choice
Chase Briscoe, who ultimately secured the coveted finish with Gibbs right behind him, openly expressed gratitude for his teammate’s actions after the race:
“Ty Gibbs, just incredible teammate there,”
– Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
Briscoe went on to explain just how crucial Gibbs’ support had been during the final lap:
“I honestly would not have won that race without Ty.”
– Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
Gibbs, only 23 years old and still chasing his first win in the Cup Series, made a significant personal sacrifice by choosing to push his teammate rather than attempt a move to secure his own victory. With multiple teammates in the running for a spot in the Championship 4, Gibbs opted to place the interests of Joe Gibbs Racing above his personal ambitions.
Media Reaction: From Liability to Asset in the Playoffs
The shift in Ty Gibbs’ reputation wasn’t lost on NASCAR analysts. Jordan Bianchi from The Athletic reflected on how public sentiment had changed as a result of Gibbs’ decision-making:
“We had a conversation about Ty Gibbs being a horrible teammate at one point in these playoffs, and now it’s come a different direction. Now, he’s the greatest teammate in the world where his teammates are literally signing his praises after the race,”
– Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
Bianchi emphasized the difficult position Gibbs faced, torn between the personal desire to secure his first win after a challenging season and the responsibility to support his championship-contending teammates:
“In all seriousness, that’s a tough position for Ty Gibbs. You’re racing for your first win, you’ve had a frustrating year, you’d like to end it on a high note — in your mind, is it best to maybe go get that win and put some things to bed a little bit?”
– Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
Bianchi reasoned that Gibbs’ choice could have longer-term benefits, both for his own reputation and for the Joe Gibbs Racing organization:
“But I will say this, it’s probably actually better or more advantageous for him and the company’s growth to maybe take some of the pressure off of him doing this and saying, you know what, when it comes down to it, he will do the right thing, and he will put the greater good of the company before his own interests.”
– Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
Spotlight on Teamwork as Championship Looms
Gibbs’ actions at Talladega Superspeedway have redefined his image as a teammate and reinforced the role of collaboration within Joe Gibbs Racing as they battle in the playoffs. As he set aside personal goals, his decision elevated both his standing among teammates like Briscoe and Hamlin and strengthened the team’s chances heading toward the Championship 4.
The debate now focuses on whether Gibbs’ unselfish choices will influence similar decisions by others seeking long-term team rewards over immediate individual wins. With the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs entering their final stage, the example set by Ty Gibbs — dubbed ‘teammate of the year’ — may resonate throughout the paddock, potentially steering racing dynamics and strategies for teams and drivers aiming for collective success.
