Ty Gibbs had some interesting comments after delivering a fourth-place finish at Phoenix Raceway. He talked about having "the right guys" on the No. 54 team, which seemingly referenced former Joe Gibbs Racing Competition Director Chris Gabehart.
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"We were really good today. I don't know. That's unfortunate," Gibbs said to Fox Sports after finishing fourth. "But we'll keep rolling. I think I could have done some things better there. Yeah, unfortunate there.
"But very happy with my team. All the guys — I'm with the right guys. That makes a difference. So we're running good because of that. It shows. Really happy with my team, everybody has done a great job, everybody believes in me, we all believe in each other. Happy with that."
His first career win was in sight.@TyGibbs brings the No. 54 home in fourth for the second straight week. pic.twitter.com/bDu7ofg4I4
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 9, 2026
Gibbs did not specifically mention Gabehart by name. Yet, his comments came at a time when his relationship with the former competition director came under the microscope.
Joe Gibbs Racing filed a lawsuit against Gabehart, alleging that he embarked on a brazen scheme to steal confidential information and trade secrets before taking a job at Spire Motorsports.
Joe Gibbs Racing also filed a motion for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order that would prevent Gabehart from working at Spire Motorsports for 18 months.
In response, Gabehart wrote an extensive declaration pointing to "dysfunction" within the organization. He also specifically made comments about the No. 54 team, which he had to lead as crew chief for several races.
In this declaration, Gabehart wrote that Coach Joe Gibbs directly managed the No. 54 team "and everybody in the organization knew it." He wrote that he expressed serious concerns about the management of the car.
"I also identified specific examples of the No. 54 team's differential treatment that undermined my position as Competition Director," Gabehart wrote.
"For example, key personnel decisions were made without my counsel or input despite my role as Competition Director; and critically the No. 54 driver was not held to the same meeting attendance standards as others on the team."
Gibbs has not publicly addressed the departure of Gabehart or the declaration filed by the former competition director. His media availability at Circuit of the Americas last weekend ended before he faced questions about the situation.
He did not specifically address the situation after finishing fourth at Phoenix Raceway, but he took some time to rave about his current team lineup.
