By: Cathy Brown
Twitter: @TheCathyBrown@PitOutsideBox
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LONG POND, PA. – After a thrilling finish in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Explore Pocono Mountains 225 yesterday the last thing Ty Gibbs thought was making his NASCAR Cup Series debut the next day.
Today he was called up to do so after Kurt Busch driver of the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota suffered concussion-like symptoms resulting from a qualifying crash yesterday.
NASCAR didn’t clear Busch to drive in the M&Ms Fan Appreciation 400, so Gibbs was asked to step up and step in to the NCS Champions ride.
When asked if he was nervous about today his response was “You gotta be very disciplined in these situations … and go out there and do the work.” – said Gibbs.
Starting from the rear of the field, the 19-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina native had his work cut out for him.
Right before the drop of the green flag his team told him “Lay back a few seconds on the start so he has some room to get comfortable with the car. Remember the car has a sequential shifter.”
When the first caution came out Gibbs was able to radio his team with the adjustments he needed. His team brought him in for those adjustments, but they did when pit road was closed, so Gibbs received a penalty and had to restart at the rear of the field.
At the end of the first segment Gibbs crossed the stripe 23rd, coming to pit road for the end-of-stage his team got him back on track 30th.
His (Gibbs) learning curve continued as he worked his way up to 21st when green flag stops started during the second segment.
Coming to pit road, this would be Gibbs first green flag stop in a Cup car. He was able to bring the car to pit road, no penalties and back on track 33rd.
This stop would temporarily trap him a lap down, Ty Dillon would bring out the caution and not in the free pass position, Gibbs team had him take the wave around to get him back on the lead lap.
At the end of Stage No. 2, The McDonald’s Toyota would cross the stripe 29th.
For the start of the final stage, Gibbs remained patient – green flags stopped were needed to make it to the end and when they started, he found himself up to fourth.
With 30 laps to go, his team called him in to pit and getting him back out 28th. Slowly and methodically Gibbs would work his way back up through the field.
Ryan Blaney would bring out the next caution, this time he stayed out and found himself in 18th when some of the cars ahead of him pitted.
Gibbs would work his way up three spots when leaders Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain got together while battling for the lead. The race would go back green with 13 laps to go and Gibbs was able to maintain his 18th position on the track for remainder of the race and bringing the car home in first NCS start a very respectable 18th.
After the race Gibbs was asked about his time in a Cup car and what it meant to him “First of all, I want to say thank you to God for giving me this opportunity. Thank you to Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. Everybody at 23XI. The most important thing right now is about Kurt’s health and hopefully he can get back in this seat. He drives way better than me so he deserves this. He’s been awesome. He’s helped me out so much. I want to say thank you to him. We had a fast McDonald’s Camry TRD. I had a great time so Michael (Jordan), if you’re watching I want to say thank you. It’s a big pleasure to wear this on my shoulder and on my shoes. I had a great time and I learned a lot so it was awesome. Thank you to Monster Energy.”
On being in a Cup car: “Just the dirty air and how bad that affects you. Just being able to make sure I was getting out far enough. I was a little bit tight all day, so just trying to get front turn and trying to get more center turn which would help me. It was a learning day. I felt like I learned a lot. I’m very thankful. It was close to almost a top 15. It was fun racing with Brad (Keselowski). Never thought I’d race with these guys. It was just cool being next to them on the track. So, to 10-year-old Ty that means a lot. I don’t think I would ever expect that.” – said Gibbs.
All in all, it was a great day for the young up and coming driver, this may have been his first start in a Cup car – but there will be many, many more.
When? We will have to wait and see…
It was unexpected debut, no one likes to see a driver injured and unable to compete – we are wishing Kurt Busch a speedy recovery and back into his No. 45 23XI ride soon!
Pitting Outside the Box 