So it happened, the worst kept secret, the most obviously predictable thing has happened. Ty Gibbs is promoted to being a NASCAR Cup Series driver, taking up Kyle Busch’s place in the organization.

Well, almost.

This is because while Gibbs is moving up the ranks and filling up the vacant spot in JGR after Busch’s departure to Richard Childress Racing, he is not going to be racing behind the wheel of the #18.

Instead, it’s the #54 for the young Xfinity Series champion.

Now, the reason for that is something still unclear since JGR haven’t cleared it yet, but if journalist Bob Pockrass is to be believed, not only is it a well-thought-out move in the favor of Ty Gibbs but one which Joe Gibbs’ team were contemplating for months.

“There has been chatter for months that they might opt to have Ty Gibbs run the 54 in Cup for optics considering he would be grandson of the owner driving the team’s original number (look at Austin Dillon and pressure of the 3) as well as to avoid as much comparison to Kyle Busch,” Pockrass tweeted.

But despite this very seemingly sensible explanation that could very well be the truth, NASCAR fans simply didn’t buy it. Because most of them argued Ty Gibbs will be compared to Busch no matter what.

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Ty Gibbs went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows within hours

The 2022 season was one that Ty Gibbs will certainly never forget, for it will forever be tainted by the tragedy of his father, Coy Gibbs’ sudden death, just hours after he celebrated his son’s Xfinity Series title win.

It’s unimaginable how the young Ty Gibbs must’ve felt about this, considering he gave his critics and doubters the ultimate ‘shut up’ response by running a pretty clean and solid race in Phoenix.

Because Gibbs’ 2022 on track was already full of controversies and decisions, he made behind the wheel that earned him a lot of hate and criticism from the NASCAR fans and the community.

But now the young Joe Gibbs Racing driver must be gearing up for what could be the most important year of not just his professional career, but his life.

It’s funny how motorsports in general are a perfect metaphor for life, you lose more than you win, and you move on to the next race, the next season, despite the biggest of wins or the cruelest of losses.

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