By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Sean Gardner//Getty Images
Ty Gibbs wins his second race of the 2026 NASCAR season at Iowa Speedway.
Gibbs was in a battle in the final laps against Christopher Bell. The final laps were insane, but Gibbs held off and came out victorious. It wasn’t easy for a racer who doesn’t have many good luck charms on his side. There’s just something about Iowa and Gibbs that makes it a perfect marriage.
He is the first driver since Kurt Busch in 2002 to win their two Cup races on a short track.
“I appreciate my team, Gibbs said. “Tony Hershman, all glory to Jesus Christ.”
Gibbs is surrounded by a team that supports one another. It’s been a great season for Gibbs. He was locked in, and his own teammate, Bell, finished second. Bell obviously wanted to win, but if he preferred anyone to win, it would be Gibbs.
Success runs in the family. The 23-year-old Gibbs is the grandson of former NFL coaching great and NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs. For some people, the 2026 season is considered Gibbs’ breakout year. He certainly looks better than last season. He’s made adjustments to his skills and vehicles.
“The first couple of years were up and down and everything,” Gibbs said. “It just took us a little bit to figure it out what I needed and what, you know, I needed in the team, and now we got it. So I think it would be different if we started out with this, with the same program I’ve got now, than what it was before.”
Gibbs has the potential to be a future champion. One of the things that Gibbs could change about himself is his maturity. He’s still very young in the sport. Gibbs would need to be a little more patient and respectful towards the sponsors and media. There’s always room for growth and change. His teammates and other veterans in the sport will pour more confidence in him and give him guidance.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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