Joe Gibbs Racing’s young star, Ty Gibbs, is trading asphalt for clay as he ventures into the legendary Chili Bowl Nationals. While the dirt racing world is a far cry from his stock car roots, Gibbs is embracing the challenge with a grin—and plenty of guidance from dirt track legends like Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson.
Breaking Free of the Gibbs Racing Ban
For years, Joe Gibbs Racing enforced a strict “no racing outside the Cup” policy, prioritizing its drivers’ focus and safety. But with dirt racing ace Chase Briscoe joining the team in 2025 and Christopher Bell itching to jump into a midget car, Joe Gibbs finally lifted the ban. Ty Gibbs wasted no time diving into the dirt racing scene, eager to broaden his skill set.
The Chili Bowl Nationals, one of the most prestigious events in dirt racing, became Gibbs’ proving ground. For a driver who has climbed the stock car ranks—from karts to Late Models, ARCA, and Xfinity—this marked his first foray into the high-stakes, high-paced world of midget racing.
A Crash Course in Dirt Racing
Ty Gibbs approached his Chili Bowl debut with humility and enthusiasm, leaning heavily on the expertise of Bell, a three-time Chili Bowl champion, and Larson, a former champion with a deep dirt racing pedigree.
“I love racing. I’m a fan of it, but being able to drive it, I’m very proud and happy,” Gibbs said. “Christopher’s been really helpful to me, and Kyle has helped me out, too. It’s cool to see this world kind of welcoming me in. I feel thankful for that, so I’m just having a fun time.”
Despite his optimism, Gibbs quickly learned that dirt racing is an entirely different beast. The tight, fast-paced action and constantly changing track conditions required sharp instincts and quick adaptation.
Lessons Learned on the Dirt
In a preliminary race, Gibbs finished 9th—a respectable result for a dirt racing rookie. Speaking with motorsports journalist Matt Weaver afterward, Gibbs reflected on the steep learning curve he faced.
“I had a ton of fun tonight and learned a lot,” he admitted. “It’s fun running on the track. After 5 or 6 laps, I started to get comfortable running where it’s curved up on top. But with three laps to go, I’m stretched out with the guy in front of me. It’s just really hard and fast-paced.”
The experience opened Gibbs’ eyes to the nuances of dirt racing, from track positioning to managing the car’s handling on unpredictable surfaces. “With time, experience will help. I can’t wait for the future,” he said.
A Bright Future on and Off the Dirt
While Gibbs’ heart remains firmly in stock car racing, his Chili Bowl adventure highlights his willingness to push boundaries and expand his repertoire. For Joe Gibbs Racing, this venture signals a new era of flexibility, allowing drivers like Gibbs and Bell to pursue challenges outside the Cup Series while honing their overall racing skills.
With guidance from dirt racing’s elite and a hunger to learn, Ty Gibbs is laying the groundwork for a future that could see him succeed not only on NASCAR’s biggest stages but also in the unforgiving world of dirt racing.