NASCAR: The ‘worst kept secret’ of Ty Gibbs’ new deal

Ty Gibbs is set to join the NASCAR Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023, but will he be bringing primary sponsor Monster Energy with him?

When it was finally confirmed that Kyle Busch would be leaving Joe Gibbs Racing and joining Richard Childress Racing after the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, ending a 15-year relationship with the former following the departure of longtime primary sponsor M&M’s, his replacement seemed fairly obvious.

While the initial plan was for Ty Gibbs to run two full seasons in the Xfinity Series for his grandfather’s team before a promotion to the Cup Series, the 20-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina native was in prime position to move into the No. 18 Toyota.

Gibbs won the Xfinity Series championship in his first full season in the series in 2022, and he also spent 15 races behind the wheel of a Cup car, unexpectedly serving as the replacement for Kurt Busch behind the wheel of the No. 45 Toyota at the Joe Gibbs Racing-affiliated 23XI Racing after Busch was sidelined with the head injury he suffered in a qualifying crash at Pocono Raceway.

Gibbs won’t be driving the No. 18 Toyota, as the car has been renumbered to the No. 54 he used during his time in the Xfinity Series, but he is indeed set to move to the Cup Series.

Will primary sponsor Monster Energy come with him?

There has been no formal confirmation of the brand continuing to sponsor Gibbs once he enters the Cup Series full-time, though there are many indications that they will indeed do so.

For one, Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass reports that Gibbs was proudly representing Monster Energy during NASCAR Champion’s Week in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

Additionally, Gibbs is still with the same organization, just in a different series. It isn’t like he switched teams and has to get used to working with a ton of new partners.

Lack of sponsorship was also reportedly the primary reason why Busch ended up leaving Joe Gibbs Racing, with M&M’s leaving and a once promising sponsorship development falling through. While Ty is Joe’s grandson, sponsorship dollars are still immensely important.

After officially signing with Richard Childress Racing, Busch even made a comment that it was clear to him that Joe Gibbs Racing had moved on to securing the services of another driver with another sponsor/sponsors. Now we know for a fact he meant Gibbs, and one can only assume that Monster Energy is playing a part in that.

The real question appears to be whether or not the energy drink’s relationship with Gibbs will be their only involvement in the Cup Series in 2023.

Monster Energy had served as a primary sponsor for Kurt Busch at 23XI Racing in 2022, and Busch was originally under contract to return to the team in 2023 before suffering his aforementioned head injury. This injury ultimately led to him retiring from full-time competition.

Tyler Reddick is set to leave Richard Childress Racing a year earlier than expected and replace Busch behind the wheel of the No. 45 Toyota in 2023, joining Bubba Wallace (No. 23 Toyota).

Will Monster Energy remain with 23XI Racing at all in 2023, or will they stick with Gibbs? It may be worth mentioning that they had been with Busch well before he joined 23XI Racing, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding their future at the Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned team.