Keeping it in the family, 20-year-old to embark on first full-time NASCAR Cup Series season
Ty Gibbs recently became the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion. On Tuesday, Joe Gibbs Racing finally confirmed that Ty Gibbs will move into full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition for the team in 2023.
He’ll pilot the No. 54 car. Essentially, the No. 18 team will become the No. 54, with some changes.
Chris Gayle will serve at the crew chief of the No. 54 car. Gayle worked with Ty en route to the Xfinity championship.
Tuesday’s team release did not come with any quotes from the family. Coy Gibbs, the father to Ty and son to Joe recently passed just hours after his son’s Xfinity championship.
The driver collected 7 race wins en route to his NASCAR championship.
Gibbs also finished the 2023 season filling the No. 23 and No. 45 car while Kurt Busch was sidelined due to injury. He collected one top-10 in those 15 races.
Gibbs began his professional racing career in 2019 via the ARCA Series. Back in 2021, Gibbs won 10 ARCA races while ending the season with the title.
The driver has only 1-year of full-time Xfinity racing to his resume. Earlier in the season, Joe Gibbs Racing indicated that they would prefer for Gibbs to remain in the Xfinity Series for another year.
However, some events were out of their control…
Kyle Busch to race for NASCAR team Richard Childress Racing in 2023
Kyle Busch No. 18
37-year-old, Kyle Busch is leaving the team after holding a JGR contract for the previous 15 seasons. That is likely what set this promotion in motion for Ty Gibbs.
It was announced last year that famed candy maker, MARS Incorporated would exit NASCAR in 2023. JGR was unable to locate a new sponsor.
MARS Incorporated to end NASCAR partnership
Several months ago, Busch began seeking opportunities outside of JGR and Toyota. He’s landed at Richard Childress Racing and will drive the No. 8 for 2023.
Kyle Busch Motorsports will also switch from Toyota to Chevrolet.
Kyle Busch won 56 races and two championship while piloting the No. 18 for Joe Gibbs Racing. Before Kyle, both Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte put the No. 18 in victory lane for JGR.
The team has stated they have intentions to bring the No. 18 back in the future.
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