NASCAR Insiders Predict More Cup Wins for Ty Gibbs in 2026

NASCAR president and analysts see the young driver continuing his breakout season with additional victories.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:08pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring a NASCAR race car in motion, with the car and driver's form breaking down into vibrant, neon-colored brushstrokes that convey a sense of raw speed and energy.Ty Gibbs' breakout 2026 NASCAR season continues with experts predicting more victories ahead.Bristol Today

NASCAR President Steve O'Donnell and analysts Freddie Kraft and Tommy Baldwin believe that 23-year-old driver Ty Gibbs will win another Cup Series race this season after his victory at Bristol on Sunday. The experts cited Gibbs' strong performance and confidence so far in 2026 as reasons why he will find success again before the year is out.

Why it matters

Ty Gibbs is an up-and-coming star in the NASCAR Cup Series, and his continued success would be an important storyline for the sport as it looks to attract new, younger fans. Gibbs' victory at Bristol was his first in the Cup Series, and additional wins would solidify his status as a driver to watch in the years to come.

The details

Gibbs has been running up front consistently in 2026, recording four top-five finishes in the last five races after a slow start to the season. NASCAR President Steve O'Donnell said Gibbs has the 'confidence to go out there and do it' and win again, while analyst Freddie Kraft noted Gibbs' 'fast cars and confidence can be a dangerous thing.' Fellow analyst Tommy Baldwin praised Gibbs' progression through the NASCAR ranks, saying 'it shows you how tough this division is' for a young driver to finally break through for his first Cup win.

  • Ty Gibbs earned his first career Cup Series victory on Sunday, April 13, 2026 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
  • Prior to the Bristol win, Gibbs had recorded 39 top-10 finishes and made the playoffs in 2024 in his first four seasons as a full-time Cup driver.

The players

Steve O'Donnell

The President of NASCAR, who shared his thoughts on Ty Gibbs' potential for more wins this season.

Freddie Kraft

A NASCAR analyst who believes Gibbs' 'fast cars and confidence can be a dangerous thing' as he looks for more victories.

Tommy Baldwin

A NASCAR analyst who praised Gibbs' progression through the ranks, saying his first Cup win 'shows you how tough this division is.'

Ty Gibbs

The 23-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver who earned his first career victory at Bristol on Sunday.

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What they’re saying

“I think he's run a lot up front this year. I think he's got the confidence to go out there and do it. I don't think it'll come easy, but I think he will win one more this year.”

— Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR President

“Fast cars and confidence can be a dangerous thing in this sport. It could come as soon as this week. …He's going to be right in contention again this week.”

— Freddie Kraft, NASCAR Analyst

“He's in the best equipment possible in the Cup Series, and it took him this long to win a race. But it shows you how tough this division is. And it shows you that the people you got to put together behind them, that the confidence level for the driver in order to do it.”

— Tommy Baldwin, NASCAR Analyst

What’s next

Ty Gibbs will look to build on his Bristol victory this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, where he will try to earn his second Cup Series win of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Ty Gibbs' breakout performance in 2026 has NASCAR insiders excited about his potential to become a consistent winner in the Cup Series. His first career victory at Bristol has given him the confidence and momentum to potentially find success again before the season is over, further establishing himself as one of the sport's rising young stars.