Dogs have been man’s most loyal companion for generations. Their unconditional love, unwavering loyalty, and sense of presence make them more than pets, they become family. In NASCAR, where weekends are long and miles stretch on the road, drivers often lean on their furry friends for comfort. For many of them, dogs are a calming presence amid the chaos of competition. In 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. proved just how special that bond can be.

At New Hampshire Motor Speedway, his car featured the image of a German shorthaired pointer named Marshall. The dog had won Nationwide’s “Paws and Racing” sweepstakes and earned a place on the No. 88 Chevrolet. Dale Jr. later shared how much joy his own dogs, Gus and Junebug, brought him during race weekends. “They beat me to the front door with their noses pressed against it. They just want to be with us,” he said at that time.

It wasn’t just a cute campaign, it was a celebration of how pets give racers a little bit of home, even on the road. For one weekend, the world of speed paused to celebrate the love for animals. That moment reminded fans of how deeply connected drivers are with their pets. And now, that love turns into grief for Ty Gibbs, the grandson of legendary team owner Joe Gibbs. Once again, Ty is facing the kind of loss that cuts deep, losing a dog who wasn’t just a pet, but family.

Ty Gibbs’ heartbreak continues!

On May 6, 2025, Ty Gibbs posted two emotional stories on Instagram. In the first, he wrote, “Lost a great friend today.” In the second, he added simply, “love u Lulu.” Lulu, his beloved dog, had passed away. There was no long caption, no deep explanation—just a few short words filled with pain. That’s often all it takes when the loss is personal. Lulu was more than just a dog to Ty. She was a part of his everyday life, a companion through races, wins, and losses.

As fans flooded his social media with support, it was clear how many understood the weight of what he was going through. This loss is even harder because it’s not the first time. In 2023, he mourned the passing of Bronson, another cherished dog. Ty had shared photos and memories of Bronson, calling him a source of comfort and joy. Fellow drivers like Chase Elliott and Tyler Reddick showed their support and left a heartfelt comment.

Ty remembered walks, playtimes, and the emotional presence Bronson always had. “Bronson was always there. We walked together, played together… He helped me get through a lot,” he had written. Notably, in the past couple of years racing community has faced several such incidents. In a tragic incident in 2024, Chip Ganassi accidentally ran over Devlin DeFrancesco’s golden retriever puppy, Lucky, at Daytona. The accident shook the paddock.

Ganassi issued a public apology and donated to the Indianapolis Humane Society. DeFrancesco’s post read, “Nothing will bring Lucky back… but thank you to Chip for his donation.” It showed how deep these bonds run and how painful the loss can be, whether from age or accident. Notably, Ty now carries the weight of losing two dogs in as many years. Combine that with losing his father, Coy Gibbs, not long ago, and the emotional toll becomes nearly unbearable. Yet, in life and sports as quick as NASCAR, the show must go on.

On the track, 2025 hasn’t been easy for Ty Gibbs. Eleven races into the season, he’s recorded just one top-five and three top-ten finishes. While he had a strong third-place showing at Bristol, inconsistency has plagued his campaign. He’s finished 25th or worse in four races, with accidents derailing his runs at Atlanta and Phoenix. This dip in form follows his upward trend in 2024, where he had 12 top-ten finishes and ended the year 15th in points.

This season has been frustrating, especially after the promise he showed as Sunoco Rookie of the Year in 2023. The emotional weight off the track may be compounding the pressure on it. It’s a difficult balance, racing with a heavy heart. As Ty continues to grind through the season, it’s clear he’s fighting battles both visible and invisible. And for now, the silence of Lulu’s absence is another weight he carries.

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Joe Gibbs’ grandson hits back at critics!

Racing is fast. So are tempers. But Ty Gibbs thinks fans need to slow down before passing judgment. At Texas Motor Speedway, Gibbs had a clear message for critics who slammed drivers for their radio chatter. The controversy started after Joey Logano unleashed a fiery rant at Talladega aimed at teammate Austin Cindric. That led to a wave of backlash from fans who felt the comments crossed the line.

Ty stepped in with a defence, not of the words, but of the system. “That radio is for your team, and the only reason why anybody else has access to it is for entertainment. We are an entertainment business, but also, I think we get made out to look like bad people at times for what we say on the radio or what happens,” he told Frontstretch.com. Gibbs pointed out that in the heat of racing, emotions are high and words fly fast. But fans, he argued, treat those private moments like public scandals.

“If any of us drivers put radios inside of somebody’s car going down the highway, I think that a lot of people would probably be in way worse trouble than we would,” he said. “And I think that’s something everybody should understand.” His message was simple: drivers are human. They get emotional. They say things in the moment. And that doesn’t make them villains. Gibbs believes many fans lack the understanding of what it’s like to be in the thick of a NASCAR race, the speed, the danger, the emotion. Mistakes happen. Words slip.

“This is the way we communicate with our team… everybody’s listening to everything, and I don’t think that’s fair,” he added. “I’m sure everybody else would be a lot worse off than we would… getting cut off down the highway.” Gibbs’ comments didn’t just defend himself. They reflected a growing frustration among drivers who feel public perception can sometimes twist moments of private strategy or raw emotion into controversy. In a sport where access is everything, Ty is asking fans for a little grace.