“Didn’t Do This for Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman”—NASCAR Faces Backlash Over Decision on Ty Gibbs & Noah Gragson

Published 01/29/2023, 4:10 AM EST

With the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season approaching fast, fans are getting anxious for the action to begin. However, as per the latest developments about rookie classifications, fans have been more disappointed than anything else. A little while ago, journalist Austin Konenski reported that both Noah Gragson and Ty Gibbs would be eligible for the rookie classification. Following, this news, there was severe backlash over the decision made by NASCAR.

Talking about the decision, Konenski tweeted, “Noah Gragson and Ty Gibbs are officially eligible for Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Cup Series this season. Gragson has run 18 Cup races while Gibbs has 15 Cup starts.”

Noah Gragson and Ty Gibbs are officially eligible for Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Cup Series this season.
Gragson has run 18 Cup races while Gibbs has 15 Cup starts.
— Austin Konenski (@AustinKonenski) January 19, 2023

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While this might seem okay to some, most fans were upset over the classification. They based their arguments on the fact that both drivers have more than 0enough experience in Cup Series to be considered rookies. Gragson has raced 18 times and Gibbs has had 15 starts. Furthermore, people argued that since both drivers have raced nearly half a season, they should not be classified as rookies, and they should not be eligible for Rookie of the Year.

Latest Ty Gibbs News Deemed “Disappointing” by NASCAR Faithful

Fans getting upset about Gragson and Ty Gibbs being eligible for rookies

Upon hearing the news, fans had a range of opinions to share. Everyone had their take on where one ought to draw the line. Mostly in the case of how many Cup starts before you cannot be called a rookie anymore. One fan even went as far as to mention how Carl Edwards and Ryan Newman were not given the rookie classification back in their days.

Not rookies. Sorry. Any more than 5 and you should be out. As much as I like watching both of them race.
— Chris Blackmore 🇺🇸 (@USMC_NASCARFire) January 19, 2023

Lol NASCAR is slowly turning into WWE, but I’m still gonna watch it🤷‍♂️
— Aj (@AdrienBrown811) January 19, 2023

Do people not realize that rookie means first full time season, just cause you've had a few starts doesn't make you a rookie.
— Alex Hinson (@flamingsnake1) January 19, 2023

Oh boy
— Miran (@mirannn22) January 19, 2023

Ridiculous.
— Robert McAdam (@URHoopsFan) January 19, 2023

Now that’s nascar BS.
— RB185423 (@jesslb38) January 19, 2023

They aren't Rookies though.
Another example of Nascar making up rules as they go.
Didn't do this for Carl Edwards. Didn't allow this provision for Ryan Newman back in his ABC schedule days.
— J Rey 1️⃣ (@MrReynolds51) January 19, 2023

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The backlash is understandable. Mostly because of how flexible the rules become when different drivers are involved in the mix. Furthermore, many NASCAR fans find the inconsistency in applying the rules to be a sore spot. This isn’t new, though.

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Regardless, we hope that both drivers have a great first full season in the Cup Series. Despite the reservations about Ty Gibbs that some people have, hopefully, he will work on himself as he enters the top flight of American stock car racing.

Watch This Story: Jimmie Johnson Leads NASCAR Family’s Embracing Arms of Support Around Ty Gibbs After His Tear-Jerking Tribute to Late-Father Coy

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Written by:

Srijan Mandal is a NASCAR author at EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Journalism and has been writing for his own blog as well, covering NASCAR, F1, F2, W Series, MotoGP, DTM, IndyCar, WRC, and WEC. Following motorsports for more than a decade, he has become a devout supporter of McLaren Racing, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Bubba Wallace, Sir Lewis Hamilton, and Ayrton Senna.

Edited by:

Nischal Kandpal