WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Ty Gibbs continues to be one of the most impressive rising stars in NASCAR.
The 18-year-old grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs roared to his third NASCAR Xfinity Series victory of the season Saturday at Watkins Glen Int’l after running down A.J. Allmendinger after losing the lead during a late-race restart.
“This is just a dream come true to win at Watkins Glen,” Gibbs said.
Gibbs ran at or near the front all day, cycling into the lead with 26 laps left when teammate Daniel Hemric gave up the lead when he pitted for fuel and tires. A caution for Erik Jones crashing just prior to turn six eliminated Gibbs’ advantage over the field and set up a restart with 12 laps left.
During the restart Austin Cindric was able to use a run on the outside to take the lead from Gibbs through turn one and into the esses leading to the backstretch. Gibbs didn’t back down from the fight and stayed right with Cindric, eventually getting the lead back as they battled between turns six and seven.
Gibbs’ pass of Cindric opened the door for Allmendinger, who moved around Cindric and into second in turn one on the next lap. Gibbs, meanwhile, began to inch away from the field as the laps wound down.
The final caution flag waved with six laps left when Kyle Weatherman’s car came to a stop between the esses and the inner loop on the backstretch. That gave Allmendinger another shot at Gibbs as the field prepared for a restart with four laps left.
Allmendinger took full advantage, driving by Gibbs to take the lead as they exited turn one and roared towards turn two. Once again Gibbs was not deterred and hung with Allmendinger through each ensuing corner.
With three laps left Gibbs got a big run on Allmendinger coming out of the inner loop and into the carousel, which allowed him to get to Allmendinger’s outside down the straightaway to turn six. Taking full advantage of the Toyota horsepower under the hood, Gibbs cleared Allmendinger going into turn six to regain the lead.
From there Gibbs went unchallenged, rolling to his third victory of the season and second on a road course.
“This is just wonderful, I can’t even believe it,” Gibbs said. “Those two, the 22 (Cindric) and A.J., the baddest dudes on the road course ever. I don’t even know how I…my guys worked so hard and did such a good job.
“Just a great race. I’m at a loss for words right now. I’m tired. This is just awesome.”
Allmendinger gave Gibbs plenty of credit for the great move he made to regain the lead in the final laps.
“Ty was doing a great job,” Allmendinger said. “The Hyperice Chevy was pretty solid. Second best race car unfortunately. Gibbs is tough and that 54 car all year has been tough and Ty did a great job. He was clean, made a great move on me. I couldn’t really do anything to defend it.”
Cindric ended up third at the checkered flag, with Justin Allgaier and Harrison Burton completing the top-five.