Ty Gibbs entered the 2025 season with high expectations. As the grandson of legendary NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs, he carried both the family name and the pressure that came with it. His sophomore campaign in 2024 had shown promise—he made the playoffs, finished ninth in the regular season, and had a runner-up finish at Darlington. But in the final stretch of the season, things went downhill.

The 2022 Xfinity series champion finished 30th or worse in his last five races, including crashing out on the first lap of the Phoenix finale. This season, his struggles have only worsened. Through five races, he has two DNFs and two finishes outside the top 20. His frustration boiled over in Las Vegas, where he was heard on the radio desperately seeking answers, saying, “I don’t know what to say. I feel like I’m a foot higher than every person on this track. I have no rear grip anywhere, and after about 10 laps, I might as well just throw this thing away.”

The situation has become so dire that some are questioning whether Joe Gibbs, his grandfather and team owner, will have to make a tough decision about his future. But despite the growing concern NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi is not buying the idea that Ty Gibbs is in decline. Instead, he believes that with JGR behind him, Gibbs’ turnaround is inevitable.

Ty Gibbs is on the verge of an unwanted history!

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell rolled into Pennzoil 400 with an aim to win fourth consecutive race. However, to his and fans surprise Wood Brothers Racing driver Josh Berry delivered an amazing performance. In the chaotic and penalty filled race he became the latest first-time NASCAR Cup Series winner. This has naturally shifted the spotlight to the next potential breakthrough driver.

For many, Ty Gibbs should be at the top of that list. But with his ongoing slump, doubts have crept in. But NASCAR journalist Jordan Bianchi isn’t buying the idea that Gibbs is in a downward spiral. While speaking on PRN he was asked about the next possible first-time winner. “Two obvious names to me that jump out are Ty Gibbs and Carson Hocevar. I would say Ty Gibbs just because he’s with Joe Gibbs Racing. I know he’s in a slump and this isn’t his season right now, but when you’re with Joe Gibbs Racing, you can turn it around on a dime,” Bianchi said.

Bianchi’s confidence in Gibbs stems from the sheer strength of JGR’s program. Christopher Bell has already won three of the first five races this year, proving the team’s speed. Chase Briscoe won the pole at the Daytona 500, and Denny Hamlin has been consistently running in the top 10. The No. 54 Toyota can compete, and Bianchi believes that given time, Gibbs will bounce back.

But this is why Gibbs’ ongoing struggles are so baffling. His talent is undeniable. He dominated the 2022 Xfinity Series, winning seven races and securing the championship. His aggressive racing style and raw speed made him one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory. But since moving up to the Cup Series, his results have been inconsistent. In 77 races his best performance came last year at Darlington when he finished runner-up behind Brad Keselowski. This reflects that he has the potential, but what is going wrong?

Recently, Bell tried to address this by giving simple advice to Ty Gibbs. Speaking on the Rubbin’ is Racing podcast, Bell emphasized the importance of controlling what he can. “He is every bit capable of running top-15 and top-10, and they’re not coming right now. But you’ve just got to race through it and make sure that you’re doing the process right. You’re going to the racetrack and you’re prepared. You’re doing your homework … You know, that’s all you can do as a driver.”

The struggles of other young drivers put Gibbs’ situation in perspective. Carson Hocevar had a brilliant third-place finish in Atlanta but also has three races outside the top 30, including two DNFs. Gibbs’ recent form may be concerning, but he isn’t alone in facing setbacks. However, while Hocevar is still establishing himself in the Cup Series, Gibbs carries the weight of the JGR legacy. If he doesn’t win in the next two races, he will become the longest-tenured JGR driver without a victory. That is not a milestone Joe Gibbs wants to see his grandson reach.

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Gibbs’ mother expresses concern!

While Ty Gibbs struggles on the track, his mother, Heather Gibbs, has been vocal about how difficult this period has been for their family. Watching her son fail to meet expectations week after week has been heartbreaking. “I mean, you’re concerned. Obviously, we want to compete. We want to compete for our sponsors and show up to the track with fast cars every week. And we believe we have that,” Heather said.

However, she also pointed out that the season’s start didn’t do Ty any favors. “It’s unfortunate the first two races of our season are superspeedways, basically back-to-back… They’re going right back to another track where there’s a high probability of crashing. And we had that with Daytona and Atlanta. And so those are kind of hard,” she added. Daytona and Atlanta are notoriously unpredictable tracks, and crashing early in both races hurt Gibbs’ confidence, as he finished 16th at Daytona and 32nd at Atlanta.

Ty’s slump is frustrating, not just for him but for the entire Gibbs family. Their legacy in NASCAR is legendary, and Ty was expected to continue that tradition. His success in the Xfinity Series suggested he could be the next great JGR driver. But his recent performances have raised serious doubts about whether he’s the right fit for the Cup Series. At just 22 years old, Ty Gibbs still has time to turn things around. However, NASCAR is an unforgiving sport. If he continues to struggle, Joe Gibbs may be forced to make an unthinkable decision.