A year ago around this time, Joe Gibbs was completely against the idea of his NASCAR drivers competing in any kind of dirt racing events, including the Chili Bowl Nationals.
One year later, Gibbs has not one but two of his drivers in attendance at the Chili Bowl, including grandson Ty Gibbs. The 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion isn’t known for dirt racing in any way, but has decided to give it a go with the new-found freedom.
The change happened quickly and can heavily be credited to the persistent efforts of Christopher Bell to get back to his dirt racing roots. But it ultimately takes a team and that includes Ty, who now finds himself learning on the fly at the mecca of Midget racing while having a blast in the process.
“Yeah I’ve had a lot of fun,” Gibbs told Frontstretch. ” I went from eighth to fifth in my heat race so not great, but I think I’ll set myself up good for the qualifier and hopefully score more points and get into the A feature. But most importantly I’m having fun, and I’m really learning a lot so that’s good.
“Just trying to have a good time trying to learn the car, try to get faster and more comfortable. It’s just a lot different than (anything) I’ve ever done. But I love racing, love all the forms of it and just try to learn and get better. I respect it all and I love racing, so the more I can race the better it makes me.”
Gibbs hasn’t ventured outside the realm of NASCAR much since his quick rise to the NASCAR Cup Series, but has quickly taken to Midget racing as a source of seat time away from his Cup Series commitments. The Cup Series star contested USAC’s Turkey Night GP at Ventura Raceway in November as a tuneup for his Chili Bowl bid with CB Industries.
As for the change of heart for Coach, Gibbs gave most of the credit to Bell, although the new edition of Chase Briscoe and his desire to learn the dirt discipline certainly didn’t hurt.
“I think we have to credit all of our turnaround on dirt to Christopher. He’s been fighting it for a long time,” Gibbs said. “Now Briscoe is coming in to be our teammate and he of course runs dirt, so it’s helpful to have that. I want to learn as well.
“I think all of us fed into it. … Coach raised me to be the best driver I can be and I think this helps, so I’m only doing it to help myself and I really enjoy it.”
As for the location, there’s no tougher place to start your Midget, or dirt racing career in general than the Chili Bowl. It’s the marquee event in Midget racing, Equivalent to the Daytona 500 for the discipline and presenting arguably the toughest field of competition in all of motorsports. Despite the difficulty, Gibbs is up for it and appreciates the challenge.
“It’s a lot different,” he said. “Of course there is a lot more going on (out) on the racetrack than (at) Daytona, besides avoiding the wrecks. I really like this a lot, it’s cool. I think it’s like going to your second asphalt start at the Coke 600 or something, so it’s a big jump. But the only way to get in is (compete and) learn.”
Chase began working with Frontstretch in the spring of 2023 as a news writer, while also helping fill in for other columns as needed. Chase is now the main writer and reporter for Frontstretch.com's CARS Tour coverage, a role which began late in 2023. Aside from racing, some of Chase's other hobbies include time in the outdoors hunting and fishing, and keeping up with all things Philadelphia sports related.