As the 2025 NASCAR season rolls on, one headline stands out more than most: Ty Gibbs, the much-hyped heir apparent at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), has now gone winless through his first 100 career Cup Series starts. Even more concerning for fans and analysts alike, Gibbs currently sits 25th in the season standings—a far cry from the expectations set when he made his full-time Cup debut.
The situation begs an unavoidable question: If you were running Joe Gibbs Racing, would it be time to make a change?
The Legacy and the Pressure
Ty Gibbs didn’t enter the Cup Series quietly. As the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, he arrived with a combination of talent, pedigree, and enormous expectations. His Xfinity Series campaign was impressive—highlighted by a championship win—but transitioning to the big leagues has exposed his growing pains.
Despite flashes of potential, including solid runs and a few pole positions, Gibbs has struggled with consistency, racecraft under pressure, and adjusting to the demands of full-season Cup competition. His current position outside the playoff bubble and deep in the standings paints a stark picture.
A Top Ride Wasted?
JGR is a powerhouse in NASCAR. The team’s equipment is elite, and their history of fielding championship-caliber drivers—from Tony Stewart to Kyle Busch to Denny Hamlin—sets a high bar. In that context, keeping a driver who hasn’t delivered results after 100 starts raises serious concerns.
Gibbs’ continued underperformance isn’t just a personal issue—it impacts sponsors, team morale, and JGR’s reputation as a competitive juggernaut. With several promising talents in lower series or free agency, some argue JGR might be better served by giving another driver a shot in that seat.
Loyalty vs. Results
To be fair, JGR is a family organization, and Ty is more than just a driver—he’s Joe Gibbs’ grandson. Loyalty runs deep in this camp, and the team may be more willing to ride out the learning curve than a typical organization. However, NASCAR is a results-driven sport, and sentiment can only shield a driver for so long.
Denny Hamlin is approaching the twilight of his career, and Christopher Bell has shown flashes of brilliance. But the team needs all four of its entries to be competitive if it hopes to reclaim dominance from rising teams like Trackhouse and 23XI Racing. Keeping a consistently underperforming driver on the roster could end up being a costly move in the long run.
The Verdict
If performance doesn’t improve soon, it’s fair to question whether Ty Gibbs should continue in his current role without some form of accountability—be it a reassignment, part-time ride, or at least a serious internal evaluation. Joe Gibbs Racing cannot afford to be sentimental at the expense of success.
In a sport where fortunes turn on a dime and windows of opportunity close quickly, tough decisions must be made. For now, the clock is ticking—and Ty Gibbs is running out of time to prove he belongs at the top.
