Heather Gibbs, wife of the late Coy Gibbs and mother to NASCAR driver Ty Gibbs, has been a steadfast presence in the racing community. Beyond her familial ties, Heather is known for her entrepreneurial spirit, having run a successful cake design business before dedicating herself to her family’s racing endeavors. For instance, in 2022, during a tumultuous period for the Gibbs family, Heather’s resilience shone through.

Her son, Ty, clinched the Xfinity Series championship, a moment of immense pride that was soon overshadowed by the sudden passing of her husband, Coy Gibbs, that same night. Despite the personal tragedy, Heather returned to the Joe Gibbs Racing headquarters shortly after, signaling her unwavering commitment to the team and its future. For Heather, the team is bigger than the individual. This was evident from her post-race chat with Claire B. Lang, where she didn’t hesitate to show where her loyalties lay.

Denny Hamlin receives huge praise from Heather Gibbs

Denny Hamlin’s finish at Darlington was one for the ages. With the pit crew taking the spotlight after a caution with 4 laps to go, Hamlin made the most of his consistent crew, charging from 3rd to first on pit road. This sealed the win for Joe Gibbs Racing, and co-owner Heather Gibbs felt there’s no one better than Hamlin in such situations.

“Any time green-white checkered, my money is on Denny Hamlin. Any day of the week,” Heather Gibbs said. That one line, delivered post-race with Claire B. Lang, said more than a hundred press releases could. Despite being Ty Gibbs’ mother, Heather’s faith in Denny was unwavering and, most importantly, publicly declared.

The timing? Brutal. Ty Gibbs is winless in 2025 and currently sits 26th in the standings. After a promising rookie year, his sophomore season has been riddled with inconsistency. He has mostly finished lower and mid-pack. However, he turned the heat up at Darlington with a 9th-place finish- his best since a 5th-place finish at Kansas last September. In contrast, Denny Hamlin just snagged his second consecutive win of the season at Darlington, and Heather’s vote of confidence clearly leans toward the veteran’s success over her son’s promise.

Heather didn’t just praise Hamlin, though. She gave credit to the whole JGR squad. “Pit crew did an amazing job,” she said. And she is absolutely spot on! If it hadn’t been for the perfectly executed 9.42-second pit stop for Denny Hamlin during the final caution, Hamlin wouldn’t have snatched the win from the likes of Ryan Blaney and, especially, William Byron. Byron had a dominant race, leading the first 243 laps, and looked poised for another win in an already fruitful season after winning the Daytona 500, however, it was not to be for the #24.

Heather also acknowledged the hard road JGR has traveled in recent seasons. “At one point, we had three of our cars fighting for 30th,” she reminded. In the 2024 season, JGR drivers Martin Truex Jr. and Ty Gibbs had a particularly lackluster year, struggling to place their cars in the top spot. In contrast, all the JGR drivers this year, except Ty Gibbs, have produced exceptional results. Out of the eight races so far, five have been won by Joe Gibbs Racing (3 to Christopher Bell and 2 to Denny Hamlin)! She also acknowledged her son’s struggles, stating, “We’ve fought battle with the 54 [Ty Gibbs] has been huge, you know. Big part of our concern and after-hours of our working. So, they’re really battling with it.”

She thanked the team drivers, the staff, and other members who have stayed with the team through thick and thin. With pride in her voice, Heather exclaimed, “The guys never quit, the pit crew has never quit, our crew chiefs never quit. It was a great JGR day,” she concluded, beaming. A JGR day it surely was, as JGR finished with three cars in the top 10 as Bell ended the race in 3rd place and Ty Gibbs in 9th.

While fans might see the comments as a slight toward her son, Heather Gibbs made one thing clear. Loyalty to the team comes before sentiment. And for now, that loyalty lies with the one driver consistently delivering: Denny Hamlin.

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Heather Gibbs’ winning streak goes beyond the track

Heather Gibbs has always had sharp business acumen. Whether it was turning her passion for cakes into a successful bakery or dominating Charlotte’s real estate scene, she’s shown she knows how to back a winner. That same instinct may just explain her recent, headline-making vote of confidence in Denny Hamlin over her son.

After graduating from Radford University with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations, Heather moved to Charlotte, where she traded the newsroom for the kitchen. Her cake business, Cake Designs, quickly became a local favorite. She ran two bakeries across Cornelius and Dilworth, proving her skill for not just baking, but building brands people trust.

In 2004, Heather sold her bakeries when her husband, Coy Gibbs, joined the Washington Commanders as an assistant coach. The family later returned to North Carolina, allowing Coy to engage more deeply with Joe Gibbs Racing. With her children in school, Heather pivoted to real estate, obtaining her license and quickly making a mark in Charlotte’s competitive market.

Heather’s real estate career has been distinguished by remarkable achievements. She has been voted Agent of the Year three times and, in her most recent year, achieved a record-breaking $90 million in sales volume. Her cumulative sales are nearing an impressive $300 million, underscoring her expertise and dedication.

So, when Heather says she puts her money on Denny Hamlin, maybe it’s not just family bias. Maybe it’s just good business sense.