Ty Gibbs hijacked the post-race coverage at Sonoma after a brush-up with Chris Buescher on the track and a pit-lane bump that sent one of Brad Keselowski’s crew members scrambling.
While Shane van Gisbergen made headlines for another display of road-course dominance, Gibbs ended up stealing the limelight in the post-race coverage. The rookie first tangled with Buescher, then rubbed RFK Racing the wrong way during a pit-stop incident that involved Keselowski’s pit crew.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Blasts Ty Gibbs for His Pitlane Antics in Sonoma
Days later, Dale Earnhardt Jr. lit into the Joe Gibbs Racing rookie, questioning both the aggression and the motive behind the move. The NASCAR Hall of Famer said the swipe looked less like a racing incident and more like payback, setting off a debate that will follow Gibbs long after the checkered flag.
Looking back at the incident, Earnhardt was far from happy with the Joe Gibbs Racing driver for how he approached the Sonoma road course. Additionally, he pointed out what he felt was a slightly “devious” attitude of the No. 54 driver.
Ty Gibbs clips a tire while entering his box, and things get heated fast — Brad Keselowski’s crew wasn’t having it.
Tempers, tires, and teamwork all collided in this pit road scuffle.
Who do you think was in the wrong? 👀 pic.twitter.com/RWKpb6fydv— Lucky Dog on Track – NASCAR (@LuckyDogOnTrack) July 13, 2025
During Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350, Gibbs drew the ire of NASCAR fans and insiders alike after he hit one of Keselowski’s pit crew members in the pit lane. The JGR driver asserted that he had the right of way upon entry because he was the lead car, and he felt the pit crew was pushing its boundaries.
However, the crew member at the center of the controversy was within his rights to stand in the pit box, as he was carrying two tires at once. That detail only added fuel to an already tense situation.
Having made contact with Buescher on his way in, Gibbs’ move was considered retaliation toward Buescher’s teammate, which didn’t sit well with Earnhardt Jr. Speaking on the “Dale Jr. Download,” he discussed Gibbs’ potential mindset when the incident happened.
“He’s pissed off and he’s like..is Ty Gibbs that devious that he’s like, well, it’s
not to 17. It is a six, though..If I can’t get back at Chris Buescher, I can, at least, show my displeasure to the 16. Well, that’s pretty freaking devious.”
Speaking further, Earnhardt recalled his own time as a driver. Whenever he got angry at a competitor, the 50-year-old would never take it out on teammates or pit-crew members. If there was no way of getting back at the driver, the thought of hurting someone else’s day never crossed his mind.
As a result, the JR Motorsports co-owner can’t believe Gibbs chose to handle the situation that way.
NASCAR deemed there was nothing wrong with the maneuver and did not penalize Gibbs. Officials also declined to reprimand the pit crews for their physical altercation, but Earnhardt feels there is more to it than meets the eye.
According to the 50-year-old, if RFK Racing can prove that Gibbs made the move intentionally, NASCAR will have no option but to issue a serious penalty.
MORE: Ty Gibbs Gets Rulebook Support From NASCAR Pundit Amid Criticisms Over Controversial Sonoma Pit Move
