NASCAR
Ty Gibbs Takes Third Career Win at Watkins Glen, Holding off Road Course Aces
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – For the third time in only 10 career starts, Ty Gibbs is an Xfinity Series winner. However, the victory at Watkins Glen was anything but easy for the 18-year-old phenom. After starting 15th, the 54 had to drive through the field. A few late restarts and saving fuel also could not stop the Monster Energy Supra from another win.
Cindric the Clear favorite in Stage 1
After starting second, Austin Cindric would lead every lap of Stage 1. The initial lap saw the 22 clear the 7 of Justin Allgaier by turn three, and he never looked back. Even with a pair of cautions, nobody could touch Cindric in Stage 1, as he cruised to his eighth Stage win of 2021.
Ty Gibbs did race his way up as high as fourth in this opening Stage. A decision to short pit however set the 54 back in the pack, so he did not finish in the top 10. Stage 2 would not be the same situation though for the young Gibbs, as he quickly grabbed the lead.
Things Get Tight in Stage 2
Only a late caution in Stage 2 could slow Gibbs’ pace. This would allow AJ Allmendinger to restart alongside the 54. The 16 actually came out the victor on the restart, as he had the lead by turn two. Gibbs fought valiantly to regain the lost lead, but Allmendinger kept him at bay. The 16 just narrowly edged out the 54 for the Stage win in a photo finish. That Playoff point will certainly be valuable to Allmendinger.
Gibbs would retain the lead for the final Stage, but Allmendinger chose to pit between Stages. This meant Gibbs’ new challenger was Cindric. Gibbs was able to hold off Cindric on this restart and drove away from the pack.
Cautions Breed Cautions, 54 Falls back
An ensuing caution would see everyone except Daniel Hemric pit. On an alternate strategy though, the 18 would have to stop under green. Once Hemric pitted, Gibbs was told to begin saving fuel.
With 13 laps to go, Erik Jones in the No. 31 lost his brakes and stopped in the turn six gravel pit. This caution and restart would actually see Cindric beat Gibbs through turn one, but the 54 retook the lead a lap later in turn six. In a great display of clean but hard racing, Gibbs regained the top spot from the 22. Not long after, Cindric also lost second to Allmendinger, as the 22 began to fade.
A stopped Kyle Weatherman would trigger one final caution. On this restart with four to go, once again Gibbs lost the lead, but this time to Allmendinger. With three laps remaining though in turn six yet again, Gibbs pounced and took the lead back for good.
Career win number three in only his 10th start came for Ty Gibbs at Watkins Glen, after holding off two of NASCAR’s best active road course racers.
Top 10 Results from Watkins Glen
Behind the trio of Gibbs-Allmendinger-Cindric, the rest of the top five were Justin Allgaier and Harrison Burton. Brandon Jones, Noah Gragson, Jeb Burton, Justin Haley, and Sam Mayer rounded out the top 10.
Gibbs’ Winning Reaction
“I just feel like being in these situations,” Gibbs said. “Kind of helps you and getting that experience. Those guys are so relaxed in those situations and I just kind of try to learn from them. This is just wonderful – I can’t even believe it.”
“Those two – the 22 (Austin Cindric) and AJ (Allmendinger), the baddest dudes on the road courses ever. I don’t really know how I beat them. My guys worked so hard and they do such a good job. What a great race. I’m just at a loss for words right now. This is just awesome.”
In only 10 starts so far in 2021, Ty Gibbs already has three Xfinity Series wins. While he is simultaneously chasing after the ARCA championship, how many more Xfinity wins can he grab?
What’s Next in Xfinity
Up next for the Xfinity Series is their second-ever trip to the Indianapolis Road Course. After last year’s epic race, can this year’s top it? Coverage of the Pennzoil 150 will be live on Saturday, August 14 at 4:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN, the IMS Radio Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. After losing out to Ty Gibbs, both Cindric and Allmendinger will be hungry to get another road course win.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Sean Gardner/Getty Images for NASCAR
