Gibbs began winning races and championships as a kid, starting his career on BMX bicycles at age 6. He soon carried that success into mountain biking and road biking as well. When he was 11, he moved into the karting ranks, continuing his winning ways on both asphalt and dirt.
He then tackled the competitive world of late model stock cars in the Southeast starting in 2017. He scored victories at historic Hickory Motor Speedway along with track rookie-of-the-year honors, and also competed often with the CARS Tour and at other late model events in the region. He won his first ARCA race at Phoenix Raceway at the end of 2019.
“I feel like that whole path has kind of made me who I am now and how I drive and my style,” Gibbs said.
It was in the past two seasons, however, when a switch flipped and Gibbs went from being a promising prospect with a few late model wins to one of the brightest stars on the national stage.
Alongside him on the journey is ARCA crew chief Mark McFarland, who charted a similar path as Gibbs in the early 2000s. McFarland transitioned from late model stock cars to the Hooters Pro Cup Series to the Xfinity Series before ultimately finding a home as a crew chief.
“We knew (Gibbs) had lots of talent right from the get-go, we’ve watched a lot of racers come up through and some of them have it, some of them don’t,” McFarland said. “But we could tell he definitely had what it took. So, it was real easy to teach him the right way and teach him things that we went through in my career and what he’ll go through in the next couple steps. It definitely helped having similar backgrounds.”
McFarland saw improvement in feedback as Gibbs got behind the wheel of the ARCA car and they began putting in thousands of laps in test sessions, simulating multiple scenarios. That along with Gibbs’ constant dedication to running in the simulator has aided in his rise.
Yet, McFarland also notes that Gibbs didn’t move through the ranks too quickly, instead taking multiple seasons in late models and ARCA before moving into the upper levels of NASCAR.
Gibbs is well aware of the continued difficulties and need to perform under pressure as he moves up the racing ladder, but is adamant he is up for the challenge and willing to put in the work in the race car, simulator and shop.
“I feel like I really love it enough to where I don’t feel too much pressure,” he said. “I feel like love overcomes that.”
Chris Gayle worked for Coy Gibbs at one time and thinks Ty Gibbs has much more of an outspoken competitive edge like his grandfather and mother, Heather, while Coy’s personality is quieter and more reserved. Ty Gibbs echoes that sentiment, noting he’s inherited traits from both of his parents.
His fierce desire and youth have at times led to interviews where his jubilation or dejection have shown him wearing his emotions on his sleeve. In many ways, his passion comes across like Kyle Busch in that sense too. He is also still only 19 years old, having celebrated a birthday in October.
That youth is evident in the fact he still is in awe of the glistening, stadium-like race tracks that make up much of the NASCAR schedule across the national series.
“It’s really nice being able to race at these bigger tracks and these nicer tracks,” he said. “I’ve raced at short tracks with not that much lighting at night and now coming to a really nice race track with that much light, that’s super cool. It’s just stuff we dreamed of as kids, racing at these big tracks.”
McFarland is aware that from the outside, it’s easy to think the extensive resources of a team like Joe Gibbs Racing have propped up Ty Gibbs. But there is much more to it than just being part of a good team and an accomplished family.
“He’s a good, clean, humble kid that loves racing, puts in the effort, the time to do it right, and he gets results,” McFarland said. “A lot of people don’t put in the extra work, and they don’t get the results. But he’s working hard and that’s why I think he’s having some success.”