Ty Gibbs spins William Byron at Watkins Glen; Retaliation (Video)

Hear from drivers after the wild NASCAR finish at Watkins Glen International

On Saturday, the NASCAR Xfinity Series took the stage in Watkins Glen, New York. The ending was drama filled as the favorites took each other out of contention.

Watch the Watkins Glen crash video below.

William Byron and Ty Gibbs were the class of the field all day. Yes, Larson drove through the entire field to get to the front but once he got there, he couldn’t do anything with Gibbs or Byron.

With 14 to go, Gibbs was leading as Byron took 2nd away from Larson. Byron was closing in on him slightly. It was going to be a racing to the end.

Yet, with 8 to go, Ross Chastain got stuck in a sand trap. That setup a restart with just 5 laps remaining.

As they dropped the green, Byron and Gibbs ran side by side into turn one. They remain side by side into turn two and up the hill. Larson gave a bump draft to Byron in an effort to aid his teammates efforts.

They went side by side into the bus stop. Aggressive under braking, for both drivers. Gibbs jumped the curb and ran into the door of William Byron. The contact was enough to send both cars spinning.

The two drivers spun back around and rejoined the race at the tail of the field. Yet, Byron wasn’t done as he turned Gibbs in retalliation by the time they got to turn six.

No caution was thrown for the crash. Kyle Larson took over the lead and held off a charge from AJ Allmendinger and Sammy Smith to grab his first Xfinity win on a road course.

Watkins Glen Race Results: August 2022 (NASCAR Xfinity Series)

Ty Gibbs comments

“I had a good start and he had a good start too,” Gibbs told Bob Pockrass after the race.

“I had a good side draft going, into the bus stop. That put me in a good position. But, going into the bus stop two-wide, definitely never works.”

“But, I felt like I had to do it. I didn’t want to pull by and then let him win. Just trying to go for it. That was win or lose right there.”

“We were just all pinched up on that curb. Got loose and wrecked us both. So, it’s my fault.”

“I mean, it’s racing. I want to put a show on and I don’t want to wreck anybody. But, I want to go for the win. That’s what I was going for.”

Gibbs added, “It didn’t work out. But, sometimes, that happens.”

Both Gibbs and Byron will race at the same track in Sunday via the NASCAR Cup Series.

After the race, Byron climbed from his car and walked to the machine of Gibbs. The two drivers appear to have talked it out.

Watkins Glen Starting Lineup: August 2022 (NASCAR Cup Series)

Kyle Larson comments

“I got lucky,” Kyle Larson said after climbing from his car.

“I think my only shot really was if the No. 54 and 17 got to racing. Just wanted to help William down the front stretch, as much as I could. Then, they got battling up the esses, I tried to help him get clear into the bus stop.”

Larson added, “They raced side by side into there and got together. The seas parted and I was able to get through.”

Ty Gibbs spins William Byron
Video
William Byron and Ty Gibbs talk after Watkins Glen crash

Watkins Glen TV Schedule

Links

Ty Gibbs | William Byron | Watkins Glen International | NASCAR

Categories

Tags