Ty Gibbs after Bristol win: Critics are 'going to have focus on something else'

Ty Gibbs doesn't have social media on his phone, nor does he care about what people are saying or doing. 

"It’s not going to make me better," Gibbs said Sunday. "That’s the way I look at it."

That's par for the course for the 23-year-old driver, who is often reserved when answering questions and going about his business on the racetrack. Even on Sunday afternoon, just mere minutes after he scored his first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Bristol, Gibbs was calm, cool and collected. 

Much of the discourse surrounding Gibbs coming into the 2026 season was focused on whether or not the fourth-year driver would win a Cup race. Gibbs was 0-123 in Cup Series competition going into the season and missed the 2025 Cup Series playoffs. 

In a world where opinions and information are at everyone's fingertips with the touch of a button, Gibbs wasn't privy to it. 

"I don't know. I don't care," Gibbs said when asked what he would say to his critics after his first win. "I guess today they’re going to have to focus on something else."

Ty Gibbs gets crucial win at Bristol

It wasn't as if Sunday's win, in which Gibbs held off a pair of Cup champions in Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson on old tires, was a fluke. Prior to Sunday, Gibbs had five consecutive finishes of sixth or better. He's fourth in the Cup Series standings through the first eight races and looks like a bona fide title threat. 

No big deal. 

"One win doesn’t change my career, not one bit," Gibbs said. "I knew I was capable of it. My team, obviously I know they’re capable of it. Yeah, doesn’t mean anything. I could win the next five or just win this one and be done for a long time. It doesn’t mean anything."

The win may not mean much to Gibbs, but it's hard to believe it's not a monkey off of his back. Young phenoms such as Gibbs who tear through the lower levels of NASCAR are usually given less grace by fans and pundits when they fail to produce quick results at the Cup level. 

Gibbs wasn't immune to criticism that only grew with every passing race that saw him fall short of victory.  Yet, he took his journey as an up-and-coming driver in stride.

"Being a young driver is a ton of fun," Gibbs said. {There] is a ton of emotion involved with being a young driver. I think the biggest thing is looking at the big picture. I would love to say that to myself a couple years ago. I think that’s the biggest thing. It’s fun.

"Obviously being a young driver, you have to fight for your position. No matter what you have, as much money as you have, it cannot be guaranteed for the next year."

And his advice for those who follow in his footsteps?

"Just stay after it," Gibbs said. "Work hard. Ignore all the noise, all the social media rants from all these random people. Doesn’t matter. They’re not going to change your racing career. Stay after it. Work hard. Social media doesn’t mean anything. Go win races, have fun.

"Having a love for what you’re going to do in your career is the most important thing. Showing up early and all that just is a ton of fun. If you love it, that’s what it is."

The thing about racing, like every other sport, is that it's a lot more fun when winning is involved. 

Gibbs now knows what that feels like.

Quotes provided by NASCAR Media.