Ty Gibbs enters the 2023 NASCAR season in a totally different scenario than one year ago today. Gibbs, 20, was starting out his first full-time season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with an expectation that he would stay there for two years.
However, that would not be the case for the 20-year-old driver starting the 2023 season. Gibbs now drives the No. 54 car for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series after seven wins and an Xfinity Series championship, plus the unexpected departure of Kyle Busch.
Gibbs also didn’t expect to have 18 Cup Series starts last season but an injury to Kurt Busch gave him an opportunity with 23XI Racing. Ironically, Busch is now helping out the young driver in his transition to NASCAR’s top level.
Related: Ty Gibbs holds off Noah Gragson for NASCAR Xfinity Series title
Kurt Busch helping Ty Gibbs with his transition to the NASCAR Cup Series
With the Daytona 500 being a thing of the past, the first test of what each team and driver has for the 2023 season will take place at Auto Club Speedway. As for Gibbs, this represents the start of a new journey in NASCAR.
The driver of the No. 54 car for Joe Gibbs Racing is incredibly talented but it will take time for him to truly compete at NASCAR’s top level. Luckily for Gibbs, he won’t be going through this new journey alone.
Busch talked about Gibbs moving to the Cup Series as they both share a connection with Monster Energy. The beverage company has sponsored both drivers for significant periods of time.
“Even like Ty Gibbs, with him jumping in the Monster Energy car last year and getting him up to speed in the Cup Series, Monster Energy always told me to out my arm around him because he was going to be the one for us later on. With things being fast-forwarded and now with it being the second week of being here at track in Daytona, we did the Coliseum last week. There’s no question where my role is with the team, it’s everywhere with the team.”
Kurt Busch on putting his arm around Ty Gibbs
This is not the only thing that has happened surrounding Busch and Gibbs. According to RACER.com’s Kelly Crandall, Joe Gibbs and Heather Gibbs personally reached out to Busch about helping the rookie driver this season.
The 2004 Cup Series champion has not been cleared to compete in NASCAR as of now; however, he has a new role that will be just as important to the sport. That role is helping some of NASCAR’s young drivers grow into champions.
There are only positives to take away from Busch helping out Gibbs this season. The hope is that Gibbs can make an easier transition and keep focused on what is going to be a challenging rookie year.