As the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs got began on Sunday, Atlanta Motor Speedway wasn’t a nice track for Joe Gibbs Racing because Ty Gibbs made a costly error. For 37 laps, Gibbs had the lead and appeared to be on track to win the NASCAR Cup Series in Atlanta. The 21-year-old, who needed points to secure a postseason berth, was knocked back and ultimately placed 18th. Joe Gibbs, the team’s owner and Gibbs’ grandfather, accepted full responsibility for the team’s collapse at a critical juncture. After the race, he commented, “This happened too quick for me to see it and hear it from my radio.”
“I accept full responsibility for that; I was simply too late. It was cool, so I’m annoyed by that, but we’ll move on to the next one. I’ll examine it, consider it, and maybe draw some conclusions.”
He said, “I don’t think anybody really wants to help me out there,” in response to the question of whether or not he didn’t want to pull himself upright. “Three by bottom, I’m moving so slowly. You don’t want to assist me then because doing so will stop them in their tracks. All you are is a sitting duck.
Even though Gibbs’ tires were 100 laps old, he hasn’t accepted it as an explanation for his disappointing finish. Rather, he accepted accountability and showered his people with praise.
“My car was really good,” Gibbs said. “My car was successfully towed in by my crew, especially while it was on… Really, my tires are maybe a hundred laps old. I believe my team performed admirably. It’s my fault because I just didn’t complete and performed a poor job there.”
Next on the schedule is Watkins Glen’s Quaker State 400. Denny Hamlin, a teammate of Gibbs, anticipates pandemonium. The 54-time Cup Series winner believes that the playoff round at The Glen will be the hardest. Hamlin has yet to win a Cup Series title.
“Definitely, yes,” he replied. “Undoubtedly, with a brand-new road course in Watkins Glen during the playoffs and an unidentified tire.” Who knows, Atlanta?I don’t believe I have ever finished a Superspeedway Next Gen race in my career. You never know what might occur. We may need to travel to Bristol in order to prevail, but we will.”