Ty Gibbs says 'experience is key' in growing as a Cup Series driver

Ty Gibbs has quietly impressed so far in 2024 and is in line to make the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs in his second full-time Cup Series season.

Speaking to the media on Saturday ahead of Sunday's Chicago Street Race, Gibbs said that one simple ingredient has been the key to his year-over-year improvement.

"Just having more experience on the track," Gibbs said. "Experience is so key. You can learn a lot and try to learn a lot. You can do a lot of research. But at the end of the day, experience is the best thing to grow.

Once as high as second in points, Gibbs now resides in 13th on NASCAR's playoff grid, 70 points above the playoff cut line with seven regular-season races remaining. While Gibbs and the No. 54 team have fallen on hard times — Gibbs hasn't finished in the top 10 since May — Chicago could be a chance for the young driver to turn his season back in the right direction.

Gibbs finished ninth in the inaugural Chicago Street Race and will also be running in Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series event to gain all-important experience for Sunday. While Gibbs hasn't shown legitimate winning speed since the early portion of the season, he's proven in the past that he can step up and drive to victory at any time, something he may need to do in what's sure to be an extremely competitive postseason.

If Gibbs maintains a playoff spot over the next seven races, he'll have a chance to chase his first NASCAR Cup Series championship at just 21 years old, which isn't an accomplishment that many drivers can lay claim to.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.