The 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, Ty Gibbs, made the leap to the Cup Series in the subsequent season, steering the No. 54 Toyota Camry for his grandfather Joe Gibbs’ team, JGR. Taking over from the accomplished Kyle Busch, who departed due to a sponsorship disagreement to join Richard Childress Racing, Gibbs faced a challenging rookie season. Despite significant prior experience in Cup cars and solid performance by JGR, he ended the season without a win and as the sole Toyota driver excluded from the playoffs.
Reflecting on his winless rookie year, Gibbs acknowledged the less-than-ideal outcome. However, he emphasized that his speed and performance in various races demonstrated his capability as a competitive racer. Looking ahead to the new season, Gibbs expressed confidence that addressing errors and focusing on speed improvements could lead to race victories.
Discussing expectations for the upcoming season, Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson outlined his hopes for all JGR and 23XI cars to secure playoff spots, with the ultimate goal of having two cars reach Phoenix. Wilson expressed confidence in young talent Ty Gibbs, believing he has the potential to secure a race win in 2024.
Acknowledging the importance of avoiding a winless season in 2024, Gibbs is determined to clinch his first Cup race victory and qualify for the playoffs. His promising start at the LA Clash, where he led the most laps in the exhibition race, has set a positive tone, and he aims to carry that momentum into the official season.
