The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season is set to kick off with the Daytona 500, and one driver in particular has caught the attention of fans and experts alike. Ty Gibbs, the 20-year-old rookie driving the No. 54 Toyota, has the potential to make history and become the next Daytona 500 champion.
Similarities to Austin Cindric
Gibbs shares a number of similarities with last year’s Daytona 500 winner, Austin Cindric. Both drivers are Cup Series rookies, and both made select starts in the Cup Series the year before their promotion. Both also competed in a race at Daytona International Speedway the year before their full-time Cup Series debut.
In their final Xfinity Series seasons, both drivers won 11 races and a superspeedway race, with Cindric winning at Daytona and Gibbs winning at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Both drivers also have family connections with their Cup Series teams, with Cindric being the son of Team Penske President Tim Cindric and Gibbs being the grandson of Joe Gibbs Racing team owner Joe Gibbs.
Replacing a Cup Series Champion
Gibbs is replacing Kyle Busch, a Cup Series champion who never managed to win the Daytona 500 despite winning 60 races and two championships. This is similar to the scenario that Cindric faced, replacing Brad Keselowski, a Cup Series champion and 35-time race winner who went winless in 12 Daytona 500 starts.
The Daytona 500: A Crapshoot
While these similarities and connections may paint a positive picture for Gibbs’ chances at the Daytona 500, it’s important to remember that the race is often unpredictable and can have unexpected outcomes. Underdogs have historically performed just as well as favorites, and anything that can go wrong usually does at a superspeedway.
Gibbs’ odds currently sit at +5000, far from being a favorite. However, Cindric’s odds last year were also +3000 and he went on to win the race. With Gibbs’ similarities to Cindric and the potential for unexpected outcomes, it’s not too far-fetched to believe that he could become the next Daytona 500 champion.
Read Also: 2023 Daytona 500: Surprising NASCAR Picks and Predictions
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there’s no guarantee that Gibbs will win the 2023 Daytona 500, his similarities to Austin Cindric and the potential for surprises make him a driver to keep an eye on. The Great American Race is always an exciting and unpredictable event, and this year should be no exception.
