NASCAR: Ty Gibbs made the worst possible decision

Ty Gibbs wrecking Brandon Jones out of his spot in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4 was an ill-advised move on many levels.

Entering the final lap of Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Martinsville Speedway, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Brandon Jones held the lead over teammate Ty Gibbs.

Joe Gibbs Racing were positioned to get both of their full-time drivers into the Championship 4, as Gibbs had already secured his spot in next Saturday’s winner-take-all round at Phoenix Raceway on points.

With JR Motorsports’ teammate Josh Berry and Noah Gragson having already locked up their spots in the Championship 4 by winning the round of 8’s first two races, Gibbs clinching his spot left just one spot open.

Jones was not in contention to secure a spot on points at this stage, meaning that he needed to win to advance to the final round for the first time in his career.

Gibbs wrecked him.

Aside from the obvious fact that Gibbs has unnecessarily (playoff points don’t matter in the Championship 4) put himself at the center of another controversy, one which doesn’t actually benefit Joe Gibbs Racing whatsoever, this was truly an ill-advised move no matter which way you look at it.

First of all, JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier ended up clinching the fourth and final Championship 4 spot, advancing to the final round on points after the spot that would have gone to Jones was freed up with the move Gibbs made.

Now there are three JR Motorsports drivers in the Championship 4 and just one Ty Gibbs Racing (as some now call it) driver, instead of two of each.

And let’s not forget that the driver who would have been the second Joe Gibbs Racing driver to qualify is set to join JR Motorsports next year.

Wouldn’t it be ironic if he gifts the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned team an early present by “accidentally” taking out the driver singlehandedly responsible for ending his championship bid?

Perhaps Joe Gibbs Racing are now outnumbered four to one — not three to one, and certainly not level at two on two.

The omission of Jones from the Championship 4 also opens up the door for two other possibilities that Joe Gibbs Racing wouldn’t exactly be fond of.

How ironic would it be if Jones wins the season finale — at a track where he does own victory — and a JR Motorsports championship contender finishes in second place?

That JR Motorsports driver would win the title, thanks to what Gibbs pulled.

And how ironic would it be if Allgaier wins the season finale with Gibbs in second place?

Allgaier would win the title, thanks to what Gibbs pulled.

How will it all unfold? The NASCAR Xfinity Series season finale is set to be broadcast live from Phoenix Raceway on USA Network beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET this Saturday, November 5. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now if you have not already done so!