“Meet The Real Ty Gibbs” – Herm & Schrader Podcast

Host: Kenny Wallace (with Ken Schrader, SiriusXM/Dirty Mo Media)
Episode Date: March 26, 2026
Guest: Ty Gibbs

Episode Overview

In this episode of the “Herm & Schrader” podcast, Kenny Wallace sits down for an in-depth, candid conversation with 23-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver Ty Gibbs. Known for its irreverent, no-holds-barred style, the show dives into Ty’s passion for dirt racing, his progression through the NASCAR ranks, mental toughness, and the strong family legacy that both uplifts and challenges him. Listeners get a rare inside look at Ty’s perspectives on racing culture, resilience in the face of criticism, and what keeps him grounded.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Ty Gibbs’ Love for Dirt Racing

• Background and Roots

  • Ty describes growing up in the motocross world, citing his father’s supercross team and how that experience shaped his affinity for dirt racing.
    • “I grew up obviously in the motocross world...it always reminds me of kind of my childhood as well. So it's kind of fun to go back.” (Ty Gibbs, 03:00)
  • Motocross and dirt oval racing are linked by their atmosphere and challenge.

• Learning and Humility

  • Ty is candid about being new to dirt, admitting to crashes and mistakes:
    • “If I was trying to be cool, I have not looked cool doing it because I’ve busted my ass a couple times.” (Ty Gibbs, 03:37)
  • Values the learning curve; sees dirt as a “new craftsmanship” that sharpens skills and prevents him from being one-dimensional.

• Impact on NASCAR Skills

  • Racing dirt “definitely helps my skills. It keeps me sharp...Everything’s happening so fast [in a sprint car]...going to a Cup car, it's way slower.” (Ty Gibbs, 06:58)

Memorable Moment

• Ty recounts flipping a sprint car – twice – but thanks top-tier safety gear and shrugs it off with laughter.
  • “Honestly, with that big wing, Kenny, it just doesn’t hurt that bad, honestly. I’ve been very fortunate though, for my Rex, like not to have anything too big...” (Ty Gibbs, 04:49)

The Current Cup Series “Heater”

• Breakthrough Performance
  • Ty’s three straight Cup Series top-5s are spotlighted as evidence of his growth and maturing chemistry with his team.
  • The secret? Small but meaningful team changes, focus on internal development, and a "brotherhood" mentality.
    • “We want to be our own team and we want to develop into our own identity and that's kind of what we're doing...It's been a lot of work in the last couple years.” (Ty Gibbs, 13:20)
  • Kenny credits Ty’s mental strength and adaptability.

Family Legacy & Grounding Values

• Advice from Father and Grandfather Joe Gibbs

  • Ty shares how his grandfather set a ferocious work ethic example:
    • “He grinds it out, man. Like, that guy puts in a lot of time, a lot of work...watching him grind it out through the hardest moments and just have a great attitude about it.” (Ty Gibbs, 16:14)

• Handling Critics and “Gibbs Grandson” Scrutiny

  • Ty displays his resilience and humor towards negativity:
    • “The way I grew up...my father, is a very, very strong guy, very stern person...we don’t listen to what the outside crowd says.” (Ty Gibbs, 19:11)
    • “We always look at some things and like, people do banners and stuff. We’re always laughing...I just think it’s funny.” (Ty Gibbs, 19:50)
  • Points out how social media “hate” is background noise, and credits competitive family dynamics for his thick skin.

Notable Quote

• “If you focus on other people, you’re never going to win...We want to be, you know, our own gig and have our own program going.” (Ty Gibbs, 13:20)

Friendship & Adversity: Denny Hamlin Bond

• Brotherhood with Denny Hamlin
  • Ty explains strong friendships formed through shared adversity, notably with Denny Hamlin:
    • “Me and Denny are always great friends. I feel like Denny is like a...family member to me...when my father passed away, Denny was there right away, was the first person I saw.” (Ty Gibbs, 22:43)
  • Both have weathered public criticism with humor and resilience.

A Storied Path: Stats & Accolades

• Early Success
  • Kenny rattles off Ty’s remarkable rapid-fire career stats – ARCA and Xfinity championships, dozens of wins, and top rookie honors – tying it all to his notable ability to stay humble.
    • “I’ve been very blessed, and it’s an honor to...be in the position I’m in. And for me, I just try to make the most of it, and I feel like that’s what I’m doing and getting better and just keep going.” (Ty Gibbs, 27:04)

Inside Ty’s Trophy Room

• Peek into Ty’s Mementos
  • Ty gives a video tour of his “trophy room,” simulator, and helmet collection.
    • “Everything’s just in one room. It’s kind of a mess in here...I don’t want to put it all around my house and everything.” (Ty Gibbs, 30:26)
  • Shares jokes about still having his Christmas tree up in March, evidencing his easy-going nature.
  • Conversation about keeping memorabilia, learning from veterans’ regrets over discarded gear.

Memorable Moment

• Specific Items:
  • Xfinity championship suit, father’s vintage helmet, sentimental tribute helmets, “rookie” suit from filling in for Kurt Busch, and a (probably non-alcoholic) champagne bottle from his Watkins Glen win. (31:00–34:13)

Friendship Circles & Life Outside Racing

• Dirt Buddies and Broader Life

  • Ty’s close friendships with dirt stars (e.g., Corey Day and Daison Pursley) and prominent racing families (Kating family) are highlighted.
    • “I grew up around Jason Persley a lot, too, so I feel like those are two of my closest racing buddies, and I talk to them a lot.” (Ty Gibbs, 38:49)
  • Shares family updates: his brother’s Tommy John surgery, sister at Cornell, and the push-pull between racing obligations and ordinary 23-year-old life.

• Balanced Life Philosophy

  • Ty insists his life outside racing is “way bigger” and stresses the importance of balance—something he learned young, in contrast to many racers who let racing consume them.
    • “People make the racing their lives and they’re miserable all the time, and I don’t want to be like that.” (Ty Gibbs, 44:38)

The Modern NASCAR Garage: Engineers vs. Mechanics

• Shift to Spec Racing
  • Both Kenny and Ty discuss how the Cup Series is now more about engineering than mechanical innovation, unlike the hands-on old days.
    • “It’s just a different generation of racing now...We all run the same stuff. So it’s just a different generation of racing now.” (Ty Gibbs, 48:05)
  • Ty expresses nostalgia for fabrication but accepts that “I’m not making the rules...I just drive, try to drive the hell out of it.”

Important Timestamps & Segments

• Ty’s Dirt Racing Beginnings: 03:00
• Impact of Dirt on Cup Car Performance: 06:58
• Team Chemistry & Mindset: 11:19 – 14:34
• Work Ethic and Joe Gibbs Legacy: 16:14
• Handling Being Joe Gibbs’ Grandson: 19:11 – 21:52
• Strong Bond with Denny Hamlin: 22:43
• Career Review (Stats & Achievements): 25:45
• Trophy Room Tour: 29:45 – 34:13
• Discussion of Dirt Friends and Life Balance: 38:49 – 41:51
• Perspective on Modern Cup Racing/Engineering: 46:31 – 49:51
• NASCAR’s Health & Direction: 53:48
• ‘Hell Yeah’ Slogan Discussion & Closing Thoughts: 55:28

Notable Quotes

• On Remaining Humble:
  • “I don’t sit here and think anything’s changed my life. I’ve won races. Nothing’s changed at all...everybody keeps me humble, and I feel like I stay as humble as I can and just make the best of it.” (Ty Gibbs, 28:24)
• On Social Media Hate:
  • “Look at the profile pictures and I...am I going to let this guy bother me? Look at this guy. Like, do you see this guy?...So I just look at that...I just laugh it off.” (Ty Gibbs, 19:50)
• On the Changing Garage:
  • “I love innovation...but NASCAR’s took a step in the running spec cars...I love the innovation part, but...that’s just not how it is anymore.” (Ty Gibbs, 48:05)
• On Life Balance:
  • "People make the racing their lives and they’re miserable all the time, and I don’t want to be like that and I really...enjoy my life and I want to make the best of what I’ve got and just have a good time.” (Ty Gibbs, 44:38)
• On NASCAR’s Place:
  • “NASCAR is the SEC sport of America, right?...I think it’s only going to get better.” (Ty Gibbs, 53:48)
• On the ‘Hell Yeah’ Slogan:
  • “I love America and I’m looking for the best, as they say lately. Play Free Bird.” (Ty Gibbs, 56:27)

Tone & Style

The entire conversation is loose, upbeat, and freewheeling—full of racing stories, friendly ribbing, and mutual respect. Ty Gibbs comes across as humble, mature beyond his 23 years, honest about his mistakes, and balanced in his outlook on both life and racing.

Summary: Why Listen?

This episode pulls back the curtain on Ty Gibbs—not just the rising NASCAR star, but a multi-dimensional young man with deep family ties, a genuine love for the sport (especially dirt racing), and a remarkably grounded perspective despite early success and outside scrutiny. It’s a conversation full of life lessons, career wisdom, and memorable racing lore—delivered in the down-to-earth, hilarious style that defines Herm & Schrader.