Ty Gibbs is getting his hands dirty in his first Chili Bowl start

Toyota driver Ty Gibbs isn’t as experienced with dirt racing as some of the other big NASCAR names (like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell) taking on the Chili Bowl Nationals this week. But the challenge has him fired up.

“It’s been fun,” he told Motorsport.com. “Every time I’ve gotten in the car, I feel like I learn a lot. I’ve had a blast. I wish I could do more … I’d love to do more.”

The 22-year-old is about to embark on his third full-time season at the NASCAR Cup level, but being in Tulsa is a welcomed departure from the hustle and pressure of the usual NASCAR race weekend.

“I grew up with my father [Coy] going to Supercross races and stuff like that,” said Gibbs. “I miss that. Wish I could go back. But this gives me vibes of that… it’s fun and I love it.”

He kept coming back to the word “fun” — but that doesn’t mean Gibbs hasn’t faced any difficulties since arriving in Oklahoma. Having to learn dirt racing on the track while also trying to fight his way into the main event is no easy task.

“It’s just different,” said Gibbs. “The hard part is that you don’t have that many laps. I feel like halfway through the race, I’d figure out stuff to do and learn, but then I have, like, three laps to go and I’m sliding a guy for, like, 9th.”

Putting it into NASCAR terms, Gibbs said his situation is like “coming to the Coke 600 for your first asphalt start. It’s just different, but I really love it. I love the challenge of getting better at things. I love the grind and the work.”

He only wishes he could have “figured stuff out earlier” as he continues to make progress behind the wheel of his Toyota dirt midget car.

“I’m having a lot of fun. I didn’t really have any expectations on where I wanted to be. And if I could put it all together, I’d be a lot better off than I am now — but that’s just part of learning.”

Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing, Monster Energy Toyota Camry

Photo by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

And with Coach Joe Gibbs opening the door for his drivers to run races like this, the JGR team owner’s grandson is hopeful that this is just the beginning of his Chili Bowl adventure.

“I’d love to make this the first of many Chili Bowls,” Gibbs concluded. But first, he’s aiming for the main event on Saturday. He’ll have to fight his way through an alphabet soup of heat races, likely coming from the G-Main this weekend.

Afterward, Gibbs’ focus returns to the rapidly approaching NASCAR Cup season. The former Xfinity Series champion and Toyota Racing driver has yet to win a Cup race in 87 starts, but he does have 12 top-fives and a runner-up finish at Darlington. Last year, he led over 400 laps and made the playoffs for the first time, ending the season 15th in the championship standings. Like his 2025 run at the Chili Bowl, Gibbs is eager to keep pushing further.