NASCAR Today: Gibbs Reflects on Busch’s “Challenges” as Chicago Prepares for a Surprise Winner
As NASCAR fans gear up for one of the season’s most anticipated events — the Chicago Street Race — one of the sport’s most iconic figures is grabbing headlines for a different reason. Joe Gibbs, the legendary team owner behind Joe Gibbs Racing, recently opened up about the unique challenges of managing elite, strong-willed drivers like Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart during their high-octane stints with the team.
In a wide-ranging appearance on The Happy Hour podcast with Kevin Harvick, Gibbs admitted that while both drivers were brilliant behind the wheel, they often came with their own brands of intensity.
“They were both super talented,” Gibbs said. “They came with a lot — on and off the track. But that passion, that edge — that’s what made them winners.”
— Joe Gibbs via Happy Hour podcast
Both Busch and Stewart are among the most dynamic personalities in NASCAR history. Stewart brought home two Cup Series titles for Gibbs in 2002 and 2005, while Busch delivered consistent performances over a 15-year run, including his 2015 and 2019 championships.
Gibbs acknowledged that managing high-profile drivers means dealing with more than just race-day logistics — it’s also about communication, egos, and keeping a competitive fire burning without letting it consume the team.
Street Racing Storm: Who Can Conquer Chicago?
While Gibbs reflects on past challenges, NASCAR’s present focus is squarely on the Chicago Street Race, which has quickly become one of the most unpredictable and exciting stops on the schedule. The course’s sharp turns, unforgiving walls, and cityscape setting promise action from start to finish.
With many of the usual front-runners struggling on non-oval tracks, the buzz heading into race week is that a surprise winner could emerge. Several mid-tier drivers who’ve shown technical skills on road courses are now being viewed as potential dark horses.
Drivers like Tyler Reddick, Michael McDowell, and Chris Buescher have all found success in non-traditional settings and could capitalize on chaotic pit strategies or weather variables to vault to the front.
Why It Matters
Street races represent a relatively new challenge for Cup Series drivers. Unlike ovals where patterns are known and laps are smooth, a street course like Chicago demands adaptability, precision, and a little bit of luck. One wrong turn can mean the end of a weekend.
It’s that unpredictability that makes races like this so special — and so ripe for upsets.
Looking Ahead
With the Chicago skyline as the backdrop, NASCAR fans are in for a treat this weekend. As the field prepares to take on one of the most unique circuits in the sport, all eyes will be on who seizes the opportunity.
And while Joe Gibbs reflects on the colorful characters of NASCAR’s past, the present may just belong to an underdog ready to etch their name into the history books.
