Gibbs On NXS Ownership Role: ‘I Love Being Part Of It’

Ty Gibbs (Jacob Seelman/Race Face Digital photo)

HAMPTON, Ga. – One of the quieter stories of the NASCAR offseason, by comparison, was Ty Gibbs’ move to be the listed owner of Xfinity Series rookie Taylor Gray’s No. 54 Toyota.

While it’s not something that has been overly talked about, it’s something that Gibbs recently admitted he’s “enjoyed getting to be a part of,” even as he balances his full-time driving duties in the premier Cup Series.

The 22-year-old Gibbs finally opened up about his new ownership hat ahead of the race weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, tipping that his ties to Gray’s effort this season started because it carries the number he’s driven himself in both the Xfinity Series and the Cup Series.

“It’s really cool. I’m not a whole lot involved, but definitely [enjoy] helping our guys out,” said Gibbs Saturday morning. “The (No.) 54 is a very special number to me, of course. It is just fun to be around them and help Taylor (Gray) out and the guys out.

“It is really fun, but also to get a feel of looking at [the sport] from a different perspective is helpful to me, while just hanging out and watching some racing too.”

Gibbs has provided some mentorship and support to the Joe Gibbs Racing ARCA Menards Series program in recent years as well, particularly as now 18-year-old William Sawalich has come up through the ranks.

While it’s a bit less of a national spotlight, the third-generation Gibbs said that every facet of JGR’s motorsports endeavors has a similar work ethic and drive that he enjoys soaking in.

Ty Gibbs (right) talks to Taylor Gray at Daytona Int'l Speedway in February. (Matthew Thacker/NKP for Toyota Racing photo)

“It’s a level above, but I think they all equally work as hard,” Gibbs noted. “Our ARCA guys are a very special group of guys and they’ve been working together for a long time. I loved racing with them and miss that. I think Xfinity is a level up, but I think – racing is racing, and [you’re always] trying to make the best of it.”

As far as how the conversation for Gibbs to take on an ownership role this season came about, he kept those cards a bit close to the vest, but did point out that Gray – a longtime friend of his going back to their days racing outlaw karts together at North Carolina’s Millbridge Speedway – came to him to inquire about using the No. 54 this season and that he was “fully on board” when the question was raised.

“I would love for the (No.) 54 legacy, the number, to go on and not stop,” Gibbs admitted. “In 2024 [and 2023] it wasn’t there [in the Xfinity Series], but Taylor came to me and asked me if he could run the number, and I was like ‘Yes, for sure.’ I grew up around the Gray family too, so I knew it would definitely be really special if Taylor could do that.

“Of course, I wanted that to happen [because] the 54 is really special to me – I love being a part of that and seeing what I can do to help and give back to my family, because they’ve given so much to me,” he added. “I think it all just worked out, but it has been very special.

“I really appreciate being just a little part of it.”

And to Gray’s credit, he’s been nothing but attentive and appreciative when it comes to absorbing all the knowledge he can from his buddy and, now, boss.

“I don’t think you can understate how valuable that advice from someone like Ty is,” noted Gray. “He’s shown that he’s very successful in every racing series that he has run in. I think I would be a fool not to sit there and take his advice.

“He’s a friend and I’ve learned a lot from him … and hopefully those lessons can pay off in the long run.”

Gray will chase his first Xfinity Series victory in Saturday’s Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 at Atlanta. His best finish to date at NASCAR’s second-highest level is third, from his series debut last March at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.

Coverage of the second race of the Xfinity Series season is slated for 5 p.m. ET, live on The CW, the Performance Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.