Ty Gibbs ‘Already Having Fun’ In Chili Bowl Debut

Ty Gibbs is making his Chili Bowl debut this week. (Matthew Thacker/NKP for Toyota Racing photo)

TULSA, Okla. – Ty Gibbs has yet to go through the ringer of a Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink preliminary night, but the third-generation star is eager for what lies ahead.

Gibbs, the 22-year-old grandson of NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Joe Gibbs, is making his Chili Bowl debut Tuesday during Warren CAT Qualifying Night inside the SageNet Center.

He’ll drive the No. 81 Monster Energy-backed, Speedway Toyota-powered Spike Chassis for CB Industries.

But despite what some would call a very tall task for the rookie, Gibbs is undaunted by the challenge of one of the biggest dirt races in the United States. Instead, he’s embracing it.

“It’s super, super cool here,” Gibbs said. “So far, a really cool experience. I was definitely smiling a lot (in practice) but trying to stay focused and just enjoy the whole thing also. It’s been such a cool environment.

“Racing with Chad (Boat) is really fun. (I) enjoy being here. I grew up around the Supercross world of racing and all that with my dad. I really miss that. So, it’s kind of fun to come back here. This kind of gives me the same feel (as the Supercross paddock).

“It’s always fun playing in the dirt, too.”

The 39th edition of the Super Bowl of Midget Racing is just Gibbs’ second midget race ever and marks the first time he’ll turn laps at Tulsa Expo Raceway.

Sunday’s practice day allowed the 390 entrants a handful of laps across two different sessions to acclimate to the narrow confines of the indoor quarter-mile dirt oval.

That track time was a welcome relief for Gibbs, who had only been able to drive the simulated version of Tulsa Expo Raceway on iRacing prior to arriving on the ground for Chili Bowl week.

“It was really fun,” Gibbs began. “Luckily, I got to spend time getting ready for this race and having a little bit more (simulator) time. This is just my second midget race; the other one was at Ventura (Raceway in California).

“I actually got to run some laps at Millbridge (Speedway in North Carolina) this week and get a little bit of practice. But nothing really replicates this place. Seems like it’s really fun and I had a blast – I had so much fun in practice. We didn’t get that many laps, but that’s pretty similar to how the Cup stuff is anymore from week to week.

“Everything’s short now, so you just have to make the best of it,” Gibbs added. “I had a lot of fun, and I felt comfortable. Now I just need to get faster and get better; you can always be better (as a driver), so … I’m really having fun out here.”

Ty Gibbs in action during practice at Tulsa Expo Raceway. (Jacy Norgaard photo)

Gibbs is one of six CB Industries drivers at the Chili Bowl this week, joined by fellow Cup Series driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., as well as fellow dirt stars Daison Pursley, Justin Grant, Zach Wigal, and Chris Windom.

He tipped that Pursley, the reigning USAC National Midget Series champion and last year’s hard charger in the Chili Bowl’s championship feature, has been one of his biggest resources thus far.

“Daison’s been helping me out a lot,” Gibbs said. “He’s been really, really helpful to me. I appreciate him. I think the whole group’s been good. Chad’s been awesome. Having all these guys here is really fun.

“It’s just such a cool experience. I love racing, I’m a fan of it as much as anybody else is – no matter what, you could say. I just enjoy being here.

“I’m a fan of (the event), but also, being able to drive in it … I’m very proud and happy to do that too.”

And no matter how the rest of the week goes for him, Gibbs feels the warmth of the dirt racing community that has wrapped itself around him already despite being a Chili Bowl newcomer.

“It’s been so cool to see this world welcome me into it,” he said with a smile. “I feel thankful for that and I’m looking forward to seeing where the rest of the week goes.”

Tuesday’s prelim night broadcast begins at 5 p.m. ET (4 p.m. local), with every lap of Chili Bowl week able to be streamed live with a FloRacing subscription.