The No. 54 machine will be shared by a range of NASCAR Cup Series stars
Ty Gibbs is set to complete for the ARCA Menards Series championship in 2021. Additionally, the driver will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the No. 54 Toyota Supra.
Gibbs turned 18 years old on October 4th. He’s the grandson of NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs.
Last year, Gibbs ran 16 of 20 ARCA Menards events. He collected an impressive six race wins along the way and finished in the top-10 fourteen times. Gibbs finished 5th in points despite missing four of the twenty events.
The young driver also ran all six ARCA Menards Series East events. He finished 2nd in the standings, with one win and five top-5s.
“We want to build on the success that our team had last season,” said JGR ARCA Menards Series crew chief Mark McFarland.
McFarland added, “Ty works extremely hard to prepare each week and it’s exciting to have him behind the wheel for every race and the opportunity to go after our goal of winning that championship.”
Coach Joe Gibbs is regularly seen at his grandson’s ARCA races, even during NASCAR weekends.
Tuesday, Ty Gibbs posted on twitter, “Like Aryton senna said, ‘Racing, competing, its in my blood. It’s part of me, it’s part of my life. I have been doing it all my life and it stands out and above everything else.’ “
Ty Gibbs to NASCAR Xfinity Series in star car
Gibbs has yet to make an appearance in NASCAR. For 2021, that changes with his debut at Daytona International Speedway on February 20th, 2021. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will run the Daytona Road Course.
The No. 54 machine is the ‘star car’ for Joe Gibbs Racing. The ride is shared among a multitude of NASCAR Cup Series drivers. Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. will all take turns in the No. 54 along with Gibbs.
“I’m pumped to run the full season in the ARCA Menards Series,” said Ty Gibbs. “(Crew Chief) Mark (McFarland) has put together an amazing team that gives me a chance to be successful every week.”
“I’m also really excited to have the opportunity to work with (crew chief) Chris Gayle to make my debut in the Xfinity Series.”
Ty Gibbs added, “I can’t imagine a better situation for me to learn and be able to compare notes, not only with my Series’ teammates like Brandon (Jones), Harrison (Burton) and Daniel (Hemric), but also veterans like Kyle, Denny and Martin who I will share the car with.”
The full roster schedule for the No. 54 will be released later.
“I’m looking forward to the upcoming season,” said Chris Gayle, who will serve as crew chief for the JGR No. 54 Xfinity Series entry in 2021.
Gayle concluded, “Ty has already shown a great deal of talent with each step he has taken in his career and I think the opportunity to also learn from his veteran teammates will be a huge benefit to his development.”
Links
Ty Gibbs | Kyle Busch | Denny Hamlin | Martin Truex Jr | Joe Gibbs Racing | NASCAR | ARCA Menards Series
