Ty Gibbs named 2023 Sunoco Rookie of the Year for NASCAR Cup Series
Ty Gibbs had an outstanding first season in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2023 and the sport took notice. The driver took home quite the honor following the final race of the year on Sunday.
NASCAR named Gibbs the 2023 Sunoco Rookie of the Year for the Cup Series. The announcement came after the season came to an end at Phoenix Raceway this weekend.
Gibbs adds this accomplishment to a growing list of achievements. Last year, he was the NASCAR Xfinity Series champion. He drove the No. 54 car for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Cup Series full-time this year.
Gibbs contended for a playoff spot in his first season behind the wheel in the Cup Series. He ended the year with 10 finishes inside the top 10, landing inside the top five on four occasions. Gibbs did not win a race but did finish fourth at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
Gibbs also led 112 laps during the course of the 2023 season and concluded the year with five DNFs.
Although it was just his first year, the future looks incredibly bright for the youngster. After winning the 2022 Xfinity Series championship, there were already high expectations for Gibbs.
After earning Rookie of the Year honors, those expectations will only increase.
Ross Chastain wins final NASCAR race of 2023
Although it didn’t result in a Cup Series championship, Ross Chastain earned a victory at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday. After taking home the final checkered flag of the NASCAR season, the driver had plenty to say.
“I don’t believe it’s ever happened,” Chastain said in victory lane. “We did something else that’s never been done before. For everyone on this team, this vision for Trackhouse and what this was was goals like this. They were lofty. It started with AdventHealth and the Moose Lodge believing in me, coming over to Trackhouse. Then Kubota, Jockey coming on board.
“Obviously next year with Busch Light, I couldn’t think of anything I would want to do more, is to try to be like Kevin Harvick. Racing him early in the race was bucket list little kid in me, racing that 2005 game, I drove as the 29 GM Goodwrench car. Now I’m driving a Chevy for GM to Victory Lane, a Camaro.
“I am beside myself that we were able to do that. That last caution we were really tight. It saved us. Phil Surgen and this group at Trackhouse, all of our GM support staff, sim staff, everybody came up with a way to make this thing turn, and we drove off into the sunset.”
Ryan Blaney was the winner of this year’s NASCAR Cup Series championship.