Ty Gibbs bears a legendary last name but is trying to carve his own path in Late Model Stock competition.
The Response Energy CARS Tour regular tested at Hickory Motor Speedway on Friday with a brand new car, ready for the end of what felt like a long off-season to the 15-year-old.
“I am really looking forward to having some fun out here with this Toyota Camry,” Gibbs told Short Track Scene at Media Day at Tri County on Saturday. “It’s a great piece, it drove really great yesterday.”
Gibbs tested again on Saturday at Tri-County but also stood alongside his fellow ‘Touring 12’ contenders, the dozen drivers committed to a full season with the CARS Tour in 2018. Those names include Josh Berry, Sam Mayer and Layne Riggs. It’s a pretty prestigious group and Gibbs hopes to show he belongs.
Youth
Mayer, and Gibbs’ good friend Layne Riggs, are all young teenage drivers. When asked if age impacts him at the track, he paused before saying:
“We’re all equal in the car,” he said. “We’re all racing for a championship.”
Riggs shares a bond with Gibbs, both having a famous last name and big expectations. Riggs is the son of former NASCAR veteran Scott Riggs and the owner of the family’s Late Model Stock Car.
One of the elements that he and fellow younger drivers hope to build on is increasing the presence with fans. Gibbs hope that anyone considering checking out a short track race takes the plunge at one of the CARS Tour events this season.
“It’s really a lot of fun, and fans who come to the race can meet us and it’s cool really getting to know the person,” Gibbs said.
He added that the 150-lap race scheduled at Tri-County Speedway on Saturday is a shorter race than most NASCAR races, so it’s easy to test your toes in the water if you’re interested.
Something you didn’t know
With so much of his life dominated by racing, Gibbs has one big hobby that he also spends his time on. “I am really big into space, NASA,” he said with a smile. Recently, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Myatt Snider was scheduled to witness a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida. “Man, I wish I could’ve been there,” Gibbs said.
Back from the off-season where he was able to spend a little more time on space, he’s now back to pounding the asphalt tracks on the CARS circuit.
Family honor
And he’s forging ahead this season in honor of someone very special to him and his family this season.
“I’ve decided to dedicate this season to JD,” Gibbs said of his uncle. His uncle, JD Gibbs, played football in his younger years and in late 2014 developed a sudden condition that has been identified as a form of brain damage.
JD was heavily involved in the sport, but as his condition deteriorated, his appearances have been fewer and far between. However, his absence is tangible and his legacy lives within Ty.
“This is something I really wanted to do for my uncle,” he said of finding success in the 2018 season.
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