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Ty Gibbs says a "win is more important than third" after strong Michigan finish

Despite reaching 100 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series recently, Ty Gibbs remains winless at the top level of the sport. And sitting 27th in points, a top-five finish won't do much for his playoff hopes. So, despite earning a third-place finish at Michigan, he could only think about the win that slipped through his fingers.

"Wish we could have got one," said Gibbs. "That was not the option with the fuel spot from where we were in. Just very unfortunate."

To make matters worse, Gibbs had to watch as his teammate Denny Hamlin passed him and went on to capture the checkered flag while the driver of the No. 54 was still saving.

"It's just unfortunate, because I feel like we had the capability to go do it," continued Gibbs. "I feel like we showed we were fast enough to go do it. It's definitely frustrating, but it's just part of it sometimes."

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota; William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (Photo by: Chris Graythen - Getty Images)

Gibbs managed to make the fuel last, but now he's left to wonder just how much he had left in the tank. Up front, William Byron was the only driver who didn't make it to the checkered flag. 

"I think a win is more important than third," concluded Gibbs. "It's good to have a good finish, for sure. Good to have a good day, a good comeback. We started off just very horrible. Glad we could come back and got better. Thanks to my team for sticking behind me."

The No. 54 team has just three top tens this year while teammates Hamlin and Christopher Bell have three wins each. And while Gibbs is left frustrated over the missed opportunity, it's certainly a step in the right direction as NASCAR heads south to Mexico City next weekend.

Photos from Michigan - Race

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 - Michigan - Sunday

Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

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Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

2025 - Michigan - Sunday

Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford

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Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford

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Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

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Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

2025 - Michigan - Sunday

Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

2025 - Michigan - Sunday

Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

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Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Ty Dillon, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford

2025 - Michigan - Sunday

Josh Berry, Wood Brothers Racing Ford, Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford, Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota

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Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

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Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Cole Custer, Haas Factory Team Ford

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Cole Custer, Haas Factory Team Ford

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Cole Custer, Haas Factory Team Ford

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Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford, Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford

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Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Ty Dillon, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet

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Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford

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General view

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Tire repair

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Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford, Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota, Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford

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Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford, William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford, Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota, Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

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Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford, Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford, Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota, William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

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Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota

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Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota; William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 - Michigan - Sunday

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 - Michigan - Sunday

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 - Michigan - Sunday

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 - Michigan - Sunday

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 - Michigan - Sunday

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 - Michigan - Sunday

NASCAR Cup
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In this article
Nick DeGroot
NASCAR Cup
Ty Gibbs
Joe Gibbs Racing
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