The Open Exemption Policy has already made fan-favorite drivers go bazinga! Remember when Kyle Busch said that the decision to approve drivers should be made by current Cup Series drivers? he said, “It shouldn’t be suit and ties making the decisions always.” The greatest motorsport being destroyed by its officials is the last thing fans want to see. Allowing drivers from different disciplines, with no track sense with a stock car often leads to disasters. Look back at Daniel Suarez’s unfateful day at Phoenix Raceway this year, when Katherine Legge wrecked him.
He was quite vocal about his discontent about the sanctioning body saying, “They cannot allow somebody with no experience to run in the Cup Series, plain and simple.” This greed to attract viewership is not just getting to NASCAR alone, but to other motorsports as well. Ty Gibbs, as we know is having a rough cup series. But, his recent foray into sprint car racing, however, has added another layer to his story, sparking discussions about his adaptability and resilience in different racing environments. A seasoned sprint car racer, who is family to Kyle Larson cannot take it with a pinch of salt. But, what’s up with the ‘Self-proclaimed Jesus of NASCAR’?
Ty Gibbs’ struggle continues at High Limit Racing
Ty Gibbs, the young NASCAR driver and grandson of Joe Gibbs, made his highly anticipated sprint car debut at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the Kubota High Limit Racing Series event. Despite impressing fans by advancing to the A-Main, Gibbs’ debut was cut short in dramatic fashion.
On the opening lap, he lost control of his No. 84 Monster Energy-sponsored sprint car, flipping multiple times down the backstretch before coming to a stop on all four mangled wheels. Miraculously, Gibbs emerged from the wreckage unaided, though visibly shaken and bruised from the violent tumble. He wasn’t able to continue after the incident and was eventually placed in the 26th position.
Ty Gibbs‘ participation in the High Limit Racing Series marked a significant departure from his usual NASCAR Cup Series duties. Joe Gibbs Racing had previously prohibited its drivers from competing in dirt track events, but this rule was relaxed earlier in 2025, allowing Gibbs and other JGR drivers to explore sprint car racing.
Brad Sweet, a seasoned sprint car driver, and Kyle Larson’s brother-in-law, reflected on Gibbs’ crash, acknowledging the challenges of competing in such a demanding series. Sweet noted, “This is a very big league organization, and driving a sprint car is no joke. I would struggle probably jumping in a Cup car and trying to compete with him.” His sentiment underscores the respect that drivers have for those who dare to step into unfamiliar racing disciplines.
“Obviously, you want to win, but when you’re marred back in 11th or 12th, it’s good to get up there to a top 3.”@bradsweetracing discussed his race in @HighLimitRacing, @TyGibbs‘ crash and spot start in the series, and the franchise system.
: @m_massie22 pic.twitter.com/wiGTzu8adX
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) March 16, 2025
Additionally, Sweet praised the track conditions at Las Vegas, saying, “They did a good job. It’s a really difficult track out here in the desert. They don’t run here a lot, so I think they did a fantastic job. The racing was great.” Sweet’s comments highlight the mutual respect among racers who understand the unique demands of different motorsport disciplines. Lastly, when asked about whether he and other Sprint drivers will get Gibbs back to one more High Limit Racing Sprint race, Sweet acknowledged the possibility but remained uncertain. “That’s up to Ty, you know,” Sweet concluded.
Brad Sweet had a solid outing during the High Limit Racing Series opener at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, finishing on the podium with a third-place result. Known for his consistency, Sweet once again demonstrated why he is one of the top competitors in sprint car racing. Starting mid-pack after a challenging qualifying session, Sweet methodically worked his way through the field to secure his spot in the top three.
Ty Gibbs doesn’t have a great Cup Series race either
Before the Cup Series Vegas race, Ty Gibbs’ was “ready to have some good results.” But, his rough start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season continued at Las Vegas Motor Speedway too. Despite entering the race with hopes of turning his fortunes around, Gibbs finished in 22nd place, marking yet another disappointing outing. This result adds to a growing list of struggles for the young driver.
The race at Las Vegas highlighted many of the same issues that have plagued Gibbs in recent months. After qualifying mid-pack, Gibbs struggled to find speed and consistency during the race. His No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota failed to make significant progress through the field, and a lack of adjustments left him unable to contend for a top-20 finish.
Gibbs’ struggles at Las Vegas are part of a broader downturn for Joe Gibbs Racing as a whole (except for Christopher Bell). Its drivers—including veteran Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe—have seen their performance decline significantly. For Gibbs, who is still searching for his first career Cup Series victory, these team-wide challenges have only added pressure during his third full-time season. Things look concerning for Ty as Joe Gibbs might have a tough decision to make.
As the NASCAR Cup Series moves forward, Ty Gibbs will need to find answers quickly to avoid falling further behind in the standings. While his talent is undeniable, the combination of team struggles and personal missteps has created a difficult start to the season. For now, Gibbs remains focused on improving with each race as he looks to break out of this prolonged slump and finally secure his first Cup Series win.
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