Ty Gibbs' Crew Chief Tyler Allen Earns First Cup Win After Weathering Tough 2025 Season

Kevin Harvick praises Allen's leadership and decision-making in Gibbs' victory at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:23am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, energetic painting in neon colors depicting a NASCAR race, with the No. 54 car driven by Ty Gibbs surging through the pack, capturing the raw excitement and movement of the sport.Ty Gibbs' first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Bristol Motor Speedway is a breakthrough moment for the young driver and his determined crew chief, Tyler Allen.Bristol Today

After a difficult 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season that saw Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart temporarily take over crew chief duties for Ty Gibbs' No. 54 team, Tyler Allen remained in his position and helped guide Gibbs to his first career Cup Series win this past Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kevin Harvick praised Allen's ability to 'absorb' the challenges of 2025 and make a gutsy call to keep Gibbs on track with older tires, which ultimately paid off with the victory.

Why it matters

Crew chief changes are common in NASCAR, but Allen's perseverance and growth as a leader during a tough season shows the value of stability and trust between a driver and crew chief. Gibbs' first Cup win also represents a significant milestone for the young driver and the No. 54 team as they continue to establish themselves as contenders.

The details

With Ty Gibbs and the No. 54 team struggling midway through the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, then Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart took over the duties atop the pit box, replacing crew chief Tyler Allen. Gabehart eventually turned those duties back over to Allen, who remains in the position today. This past Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway, Allen's decision to keep Gibbs on track with older tires late in the race paid off as Gibbs held off Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson to pick up his first career Cup Series victory.

  • In the middle of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Chris Gabehart took over crew chief duties for the No. 54 team.
  • Gabehart eventually returned the crew chief role to Tyler Allen, who has remained in the position.
  • This past Sunday, April 13, 2026, Ty Gibbs won his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The players

Tyler Allen

The crew chief for Ty Gibbs' No. 54 NASCAR Cup Series team, who weathered a difficult 2025 season and made a key strategic call that helped Gibbs earn his first career Cup win.

Ty Gibbs

The 23-year-old driver of the No. 54 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, who earned his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory this past Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Chris Gabehart

The Joe Gibbs Racing competition director who temporarily took over crew chief duties for Ty Gibbs' No. 54 team during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season before returning the role to Tyler Allen.

Kevin Harvick

The veteran NASCAR driver who praised Tyler Allen's leadership and decision-making in helping guide Ty Gibbs to his first career Cup Series win.

Ryan Blaney

The NASCAR driver who finished second to Ty Gibbs at Bristol Motor Speedway after opting to pit for fresh tires late in the race.

Kyle Larson

The NASCAR driver who finished third at Bristol Motor Speedway after also pitting for fresh tires late in the race.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Putting Gabehart in that position last year on the pit box, and him not quitting or getting fired — there's a number of ways he could have just been gone. Absorbing that, learning, progressing in his career to be a better crew chief, a better leader, whatever happened in all those moments, he absorbed them.”

— Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver

“That's not an easy call at the end of that race, especially when your driver is like, 'I gotta have track position, I'm staying out.' Whatever the scenario could have been right there, he went with his driver, and they kind of made that bed together as far as what was going to happen. In the end, it won them the race.”

— Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver

What’s next

Ty Gibbs will look to build on his first career Cup Series win as he continues to climb the standings and establish himself as a regular contender in NASCAR's top series.

The takeaway

Tyler Allen's perseverance and growth as a crew chief, along with his ability to work closely with the young Ty Gibbs, played a key role in the No. 54 team's breakthrough victory at Bristol. This win highlights the value of stability and trust between a driver and crew chief, even in the face of adversity.