Cheddar Smith named car chief for Ty Gibbs JGR No. 54 team

Ty Gibbs has a new car chief. Joe Gibbs Racing director of competition Chris Gabehart announced Wednesday that Robert “Cheddar” Smith has joined the No. 54 team in the role as car chief.

Smith will get started this weekend at Darlington. Gabehart revealed the news on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

🗣️ "It's a great opportunity to get someone with that level of experience, know-how, tenure and demeanor."

Chris Gabehart (@CG1751) speaks on the addition of championship winning car chief Robert "Cheddar" Smith to the No. 54 team starting this weekend at Darlington. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/tACtqdpPAb

— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) April 2, 2025

“It’s a great opportunity to get someone with that level of experience and know-how and tenure and demeanor. From afar, never rubbed shoulder to shoulder but I think Cheddar’s leadership kind of goes without saying. I think it’s gonna add a ton of depth to the team and help the other mechanics and engineers find their way. And have a great presence at the window net for Ty, which I think is really important. That’s definitely something I’m looking forward to.”

Smith spent 12 years alongside Rodney Childers, notably serving as car chief for the No. 4 car and Kevin Harvick. He was with the No. 7 team at Spire Motorsports this season. Now, he makes the move to JGR to help the No. 54 team get back on track.

Ty Gibbs better at Martinsville after brutal start to 2025 season

Gibbs came into this past Sunday’s race at Martinsville 34th in the points standings with five finishes outside the top 20. He finally had speed at Martinsville, however. Gibbs was putting together his best race of the season, until he went sideways on Lap 298.

Gibbs, running 11th at the time, went into Turns 1 and 2 a couple car lengths ahead of Tyler Reddick. But Gibbs came in a bit high and gave enough room for Reddick to come down the bottom. The two made contact and Gibbs went around.

Gibbs was upset in the moment but quickly rebounded after the spin, coming back to finish a season-high 13th. Reddick approached him after the race and the two had what appeared to be a civil chat on pit road. They talked for nearly a minute and Gibbs left without comment.