Joe Gibbs Racing driver Ty Gibbs recently appeared on the Happy Hour podcast with NASCAR insider Mamba Smith post-Bristol race. During the interaction, Gibbs got candid about his mother’s fiery fear during the victory lane celebration.

The #54 Toyota Camry XSE driver won his first-ever Cup Series race on Sunday, April 12, 2026. He then celebrated his maiden win with his mother in the Camry and performed a burnout at the 0.533-mile track. Gibbs further revealed that his mother was worried her dress might catch fire during the ride.

Ty Gibbs also explained that his siblings were too big to fit in the car, and he thought taking his mother for a ride was a “good decision.” He further shared his mother’s experience and quoted:

“My brothers are too big. They might crush the inside of the car. Parking fits in there. We have to wedge in there. But my mom, it was cool to have the experience. My mom, yeah, she always wanted to do a ride-along, so I decided to do it after the win of the race, and I think that was a good decision.”

“And I thought she was out. She was stuck, you know, pretty worried about the dress catching on fire, but it didn’t happen. Yeah, it might have to go down right to the bus lot there. But yes, she’s super pumped, and it was a full experience to share that with her. Never forget that,” added.

Ty Gibbs outperformed race-dominant drivers Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson at Bristol. Gibbs crossed the finish line 0.055 seconds ahead of the pole sitter, Ryan Blaney. Meanwhile, the most laps-leading driver Larson finished the Food City 500 in third place.

“You never forget your first one”: Ryan Blaney reacted to Ty Gibbs’ first-ever Cup Series triumph

Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney closely missed the chance to secure his second win of the 2026 season. Later, during a post-race interview, Blaney shared his thoughts on Ty Gibbs’ clinching his maiden victory in the Cup Series.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver qualified fifth for the 505-lap race, while Blaney had the fastest car on the grid and secured the pole position. Later, Gibbs struggled in the initial stage of the Bristol race. But he recovered in the final stage when the race leaders entered the pits for a set of fresh tires while he stayed out.

Despite being the fastest on the track, Ryan Blaney fell a few seconds short of winning the Food City 500. Later, he shared his views on Ty Gibbs’ winning the race with a close margin and told the press:

“You never forget your first one, that’s for sure. You know, even though I’m bummed we didn’t win the race, like, I’m happy that Ty was able to get his first one because I remember what that was like and I remember the elation and the joy, especially when you’ve come close, um, you know, a handful of times, which he has, and, um, you know, honestly, Ty’s deal, Ty’s dealt with a lot of criticism.”

Ty Gibbs moved up two spots in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series drivers’ standings after the Bristol win. Gibbs ranks fourth with 281 points, one win, five top-five finishes, and six top-ten finishes in eight starts this season.