On Saturday November 5, 2022, former NASCAR driver Coy Gibbs cheered on his son, Ty Gibbs, as Ty competed in and won the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix Raceway.
After the race, Coy did what would become his very last press conference. During the press conference, he explained how proud he was of his son, especially considering the way he handled himself during the days leading up to the race. During a previous race, Ty spun out his teammate Brandon Jones which ended up disqualifying him from championship race.
Coy glowing spoke about his son saying, “I’ve always got his back as a father. Obviously, it’s heartbreaking to go through tough stuff. It’s actually more heartbreaking to watch him go through it. I don’t give a rip. I’m old and don’t care.… To see your kid hurting, he knows he screwed up and to go through all that is tough. It’s tough as a parent for sure.” He added, “Watching it today was, just to see his determination and I think he’s got skills and he’s determined, it definitely made me proud. My wife and I, we were both proud because he’s just hammered down and did his job and if he wants to do this for a living he’s got to learn how to do that.”
Just hours after the race, Coy died in his sleep. While Ty will never have to wonder if his father was proud of him, he and the rest of his family are clearly going through “touch stuff” right now as they mourn Coy, who was only 49 years old.
Coy’s death was announced by Joe Gibbs Racing, a company that was founded by Coy’s father Joe Gibbs in 1991. Coy was co-owner of the company at the time of his death. On Twitter, Joe Gibbs Racing announced, “It is with great sorrow that Joe Gibbs Racing confirms that Coy Gibbs (co-owner) went to be with the Lord in his sleep last night. The family appreciates all the thoughts and prayers and asks for privacy at this time.”
Coy is survived by his wife Heather and their four children.
The NASCAR community has reacted to the sad news, many sharing stories of Coy and expressing sorrow for the family.
Watch Coy’s final press conference, just hours before his unexpected death, in the video below.