That first breakthrough win hits like the sun’s initial rays on parched grass, quenching a deep thirst in any driver’s career. While many chase multiple victories, that inaugural triumph etches itself permanently in memory, a milestone unlike any other. While some drivers do get it early on, like Jim Roper, who grabbed his in NASCAR’s debut race at Charlotte in 1949; Trevor Bayne, who snagged the 2011 Daytona 500 on his second start; and Kevin Harvick, who claimed Atlanta in 2001 during his third outing. Yet for some, like Ty Gibbs, that moment lingers just out of reach, testing limits.

Debuting with a partial 2022 slate for 23XI Racing before going full-time at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023, Ty Gibbs has shown flashes with four top fives in 2025 but remains hungry for victory lane. His closest calls, like second at the Chicago Street Course this year, build frustration amid a grueling schedule. As pressure mounts, even the calmest can snap, prompting team leaders to adapt. But how does grandad and owner Joe Gibbs navigate this impatience for him?

Joe Gibbs shifts gears on Ty’s approach

In his Cup Scene post-race chat, Joe Gibbs opened up about consoling Ty after near-misses, like his recent 10th at Bristol, where he led 201 laps but couldn’t seal the deal. “Yeah, this sport is really hard. And I keep telling him, honestly, I use the word ‘patience,’ and two races ago, we were talking after the race, and he said, ‘Coach, will you quit using the word “patience”? I don’t want you to ever use it again,'” Gibbs shared, highlighting Ty’s shift from waiting to demanding results. This stems from Ty‘s 116-race winless run since his 2022 Pocono debut, a streak that includes strong showings like third at Michigan in August but no checkered flags.

It’s a tale reminiscent of young drivers like Chase Elliott in 2018, who endured 99 starts before Watkins Glen, building resilience through team tweaks. Gibbs sees this impatience as fuel, noting, “So patience is out the window. We’re trying to win here. And so, no, I just think he knows this is what he’s going to do, you know, his entire life. And so he’s after it.” The new measure? Ditching patience talk for aggressive pushes, evident in Ty’s 300 laps led this season despite sitting 19th with 631 points and missing playoffs.

His closest win bid came at Chicago, finishing second to Shane van Gisbergen, a heartbreaker that echoes Gibbs’ own early days coaching, where motivation trumped waiting. This approach keeps the young #54 team fighting, with nine top 10s in 2025. The emphasis on action over endurance suits Ty’s drive, praising the squad’s grit. “And I think I admire, like I said, our entire 54 team, to be truthful. They’re young, but the pit crew, everybody, they just keep fighting. So it’s really great,” Gibbs added, underscoring the collective push amid Ty’s inaugural In-Season Challenge win earlier this year for $1 million.

It’s a strategy shift born from frustration, much like when Denny Hamlin revamped his mindset post-early droughts, turning near-wins into dominance. While Gibbs adapts to Ty’s urgency, another JGR veteran marches to his own beat, championship or not.

Hamlin defies championship critics

Denny Hamlin brushes off naysayers questioning his legacy sans a title, focusing on his 59 Cup wins that place him among the elites. “I want to get the wins, and I feel that will carry its weight long after. When you compare me to someone with one or two, or even three, championships with half the wins, I don’t think that person is better than I am,” he stated, prioritizing victories like his three Daytona 500s and five 2025 triumphs. This mindset holds as he sits strong in the Round of 12, proving impact beyond rings.

Hamlin’s influence spans racing, ownership, and media, co-founding 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan to boost diversity. “Y’all can boo me, but you can either get on the bandwagon, or you can get run over by it,” he fired back at critics, echoing his unfiltered style that shaped ideas like the In-Season Challenge. Named second in NASCAR’s Greatest 75 list after Kyle Larson, his podcast sways opinions, outshining even Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s reach despite 18 playoff runs without a crown.

Even at 44, Hamlin thrives amid scrutiny. “Daddy, I’m sorry, I beat your favorite driver, folks,” he quipped post-victory, embracing calculated villain vibes while advancing causes. With four Championship 4 appearances, his antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR adds an edge, but facts show his voice reshapes the sport, far beyond a missing title.