Coy Gibbs, the co-owner of Joe Gibbs Racing and the son of NASCAR legend Joe Gibbs, passed away unexpectedly on November 6, 2022, at the age of 49. His death came just hours after his son, Ty Gibbs, won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship race. The news of his demise shocked and saddened the entire racing community, as well as his family and friends.
However, soon after his death was announced, some unverified and malicious rumors started circulating on social media and some dubious websites, claiming that Coy Gibbs had died in a car accident or a drug overdose. These false reports caused more pain and confusion to the grieving family and fans, who were looking for answers and closure.
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The Official Statement from Joe Gibbs Racing
To clear the air and to honor the memory of Coy Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing issued an official statement on Twitter, confirming that he had died in his sleep. The statement read:
“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.”
The statement did not reveal the cause of Coy Gibbs’ death, but it implied that it was natural and peaceful. It also requested respect and privacy for the family during this difficult time.
The Degenerative Neurological Disease That Afflicted Coy Gibbs
According to CNN, Coy Gibbs was suffering from a degenerative neurological disease that had been affecting him for years. This was the same condition that had claimed the life of his older brother, J.D. Gibbs, in 2019, also at the age of 49.
The degenerative neurological disease is a term that covers a range of disorders that affect the brain and nervous system, causing progressive loss of function and deterioration of mental and physical abilities. Some examples of such diseases are Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS).
The exact type and severity of the degenerative neurological disease that Coy Gibbs had was not disclosed by the family or the team. However, it is likely that it was a rare and inherited form that ran in the family. According to NASCAR, Joe Gibbs had revealed in 2015 that J.D. Gibbs had been diagnosed with “conditions related to brain function” that were believed to be caused by “head injuries sustained earlier in life”.
Coy Gibbs had also suffered head injuries during his racing career, as he had competed in both NASCAR and motocross events. He had joined his father’s team after finishing a college football career at Stanford University. He had also worked as a coach for the Washington Football Team when his father was the head coach.
The Legacy of Coy Gibbs in NASCAR and Beyond
Coy Gibbs was more than just a racer and a team owner. He was also a loving husband, father, son, brother, friend, and mentor to many people in the NASCAR industry and beyond. He was known for his passion, humor, generosity, and faith.
He was instrumental in building Joe Gibbs Racing into one of the most successful and respected teams in NASCAR history. He helped oversee the operations and development of drivers such as Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Daniel Suarez, Christopher Bell, Erik Jones, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Joey Logano, Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, Dale Jarrett, and many others.
He was also very proud of his son Ty Gibbs’ achievements as a rising star in NASCAR. Ty Gibbs had won 10 races in his rookie season in the Xfinity Series in 2022, becoming the youngest champion in series history at 20 years old. He had also made his Cup Series debut earlier that year, driving for 23XI Racing.
Coy Gibbs was also involved in various charitable and community initiatives through his foundation, Game Plan For Life (GPFL), which he founded with his father in 2009. GPFL is a non-profit organization that provides mentoring, education, health care, and spiritual guidance to young people in need.
Coy Gibbs will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him and loved him. He will be remembered as a great man who left a lasting impact on NASCAR and beyond. His death was not caused by a car accident or a drug overdose, but by a cruel disease that took him away too soon. May he rest in peace.
