The regular season in NASCAR is already halfway through with already 13 races over. This season so far has been an interesting one. With 9 different racers driving to victory lane, the Cup Series is gearing toward a more competitive season. The drivers are all buckled up to take the extra mile in order to confirm their seats in the playoffs.

But determining among the drivers who all will make it to the playoffs, with thirteen races on the calendar, is surely a tough job. With the entry of new drivers in the season and also sidelining of the old faces due to injury, the NASCAR analysts are having a tough time picking a season favorite. Even the former crew chief of Dale Earnhardt Jr, Steve Letarte, is going through the same ordeal.

Steve Letarte gives his approval to the JGR driver

Before the 2023 season began, the teams saw a rejig in the drivers. AS Kyle Busch left Joe Gibbs Racing after he failed to acquire sponsors and joined Richard Childress Racing, rookie Ty Gibbs finalized his name in the Cup Series in his grandfather’s team Joe Gibbs Racing. He joined the roster with Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr, and Christopher Bell.  

This 2022 Xfinity Series champion is yet to get a remarkable feat in the Cup Series. Although he had been a substitute for Kurt Busch for 23XI Racing n 2022, Ty Gibbs had only one top-10 finish in 15 starts. Moreover, the fact that he is the grandson of his team owner is yet to evade from the minds of the fans of NASCAR until he proves himself through a good finish. 

Nevertheless, the former HMS crew chief, Steve Letarte, has faith that the rookie will prove his worth in the Cup Series. He seemed to confess it in an interview with NBC Motorsports. 

While speaking on a variety of topics, especially the players making the final cut to enter the playoffs, Letarte expressed, “There are so many drivers that can win.” He also added, “All of these teams with the ability to win have made it harder to predict who could win.”

Letarte drew the instance of the rookie driver, saying, “Like if Ty did, if Ty Gibbs broke through and won a race, would you be shocked because I don’t think I would?”

“I mean, he’s running well enough, right? So, I can give you 10 names who haven’t won and why some of you favor more than the others. I don’t think any of them would be just shocking.”

He concluded by claiming, “For that reason, it’s very uncomfortable if your name isn’t highlighted with a win.”

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Ty Gibbs has big shoes to fill in the Cup Series

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Following Steve Letarte’s claim on Ty Gibbs, this young driver still has the odds on his side. Although he is yet to have a breakthrough in his current season, the expectations are running high for this driver. He has big shoes to fill, after replacing Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch, while driving alongside teammates like Denny Hamlin.

But if past accounts are taken into account, apart from Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, the other rookies of the Cup Series have combined a total of 15 wins, combined since 2013.

Perhaps this 20-year-old has still a big fight that is yet to be fought by him. And to elude the claims of nepotism, Ty Gibbs has to prove it no sooner than ever. Do you think Ty has what it takes to be in the Cup Series?

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