Ty Gibbs won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Martinsville Speedway Saturday, but it came at a huge price.
Gibbs made contact with Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Brandon Jones in Turn 1 on the final lap of overtime, sending Jones into the outside wall. A victory would have clinched Jones a spot in the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway next weekend alongside Gibbs, who had already earned a spot earlier in the event.
Instead, Jones will miss out on a shot at the championship. And while Gibbs won the race, he earned the wrath of NASCAR fans.
As Gibbs celebrated his win in victory lane, fans in the grandstands could be heard chanting, “Thank you, Grandpa!” It’s a clear dig at Gibbs, suggesting he wouldn’t have the ride without his relationship to team founder Joe Gibbs, his grandfather.
NASCAR on NBC tweeted out a video of the incident between Gibbs and Jones saying, “Ty Gibbs WRECKS Brandon Jones to WIN at Martinsville!” As a rule, official network Twitter accounts hedge such incidents, using euphemisms such as “bumps” or “spins,” rather than “WRECKS” (in all caps, no less).
Fans even booed Gibbs’ No. 54 hauler as it entered the track after the race.
NASCAR fans on Twitter were brutal to the 20-year-old Gibbs.
That’s hilarious. Well done. pic.twitter.com/aW5r0RodH5
— Christopher Jones (@JonesChrisA) October 29, 2022
Gibbs will race for the championship next Saturday along with Justin Allgaier, Josh Berry, and Noah Gragson.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.