Since its 2022 inception, the Next Generation NASCAR Cup Series car has been maligned for various reasons.
The most common complaint heard among drivers, especially in the last two-and-a-half years, has been the passing difficulties the seventh generation vehicle presents.
These challenges tend to be magnified at short tracks and even much longer tracks that feature relatively narrow, flat corners.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, site of Sunday’s Brickyard 400, is 2.5 miles in length. That makes it one of the longest tracks on the Cup Series schedule.
However, its four distinct corners — all banked at just nine degrees — make it a notoriously tough place to pass. And it seems that the Next Generation Cup Series car, which is competing on the IMS oval this weekend for just the second time, has caused passing to be harder than ever.
How tough is it to overtake another vehicle at Indy? Tough enough for Ty Gibbs to call out the Next Gen car during his media availability leading up to Sunday’s 400-mile race at the fabled oval.
What Did Ty Gibbs Say At The Brickyard About The Next Generation Cup Series Car?
Rarely ever one to mince words, third-year Cup Series driver and 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Ty Gibbs on Saturday offered a sharp critique of the Next Gen car that should make NASCAR’s top brass sit up and take notice.
“We’ve gone to a lot of tracks that you can’t really pass in these cars,” said Ty, the 22-year-old grandson of NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Joe Gibbs. “You can’t pass or it is very hard to. It is nothing new for us in this car — in the Gen-7 car.”
In all fairness, Gibbs’ lack of affinity for the Next Generation Cup Series car may be fueled by the fact that he is currently winless in 108 Cup Series starts, all in the Next Gen.
Or it could be that he chose to speak out at Indianapolis because there’s probably not another track on the Cup Series tour where passing is a taller task.
In any case, Gibbs certainly made his voice heard on Saturday. Only time will tell, of course, whether NASCAR institutes any rule changes that could make the Next Generation Cup Series car more cooperative at the tracks, like Indy, where it’s most prone to give drivers major fits.
To Win The NASCAR In-Season Challenge, Ty Gibbs May Not Have To Pass Anyone
If the Next Generation Cup Series car carries any silver lining for Ty Gibbs at Indianapolis, it’s that he may not have to execute a single pass to claim NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge.
Having survived four knockout rounds of head-to-head competition, Gibbs is going up against Ty Dillon on Sunday for the big prize — which includes a $1 million payday to whoever finishes best between the two finalists.
“I’m not here for the money,” Gibbs said. “I’m here for the race wins. And that is why I’m not just racing the 10 (Dillon) this weekend. I’m racing 40 other people out there. It is super cool to be in this position.”
Given all the headaches that the Next Generation Cup Series car presents, especially at The Brickyard, Gibbs will start out Sunday’s race with a huge advantage over his In-Season Challenge foe.
Following a strong qualifying run on Saturday, Gibbs will the take green flag from the fifth position in his No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Dillon, meanwhile, will roll off from the 26th spot in his Kaulig Racing Chevrolet.
If Gibbs has it his way, he’ll never see Dillon once the race begins.
“Hopefully, I’m in front of him,” Gibbs said. “But our main goal this weekend is to go and win the race. And if we don’t do that, we are going to try to finish the best that we can.”
Who you got for NASCAR's In Season Challenge this weekend @Indy – @tydillon or @TyGibbs ?
Today Ty Gibbs answers media questions on how much he will race Sunday's race differently with Dillon knowing a million dollars could eventually be on the line in the challenge: pic.twitter.com/XgTA1eGM1O
— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) July 26, 2025
