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Gibbs struggling in first season on Busch circuit

Son of former Redskins coach 16th in points

By ADAM HIMMELSBACH

Date published: 8/31/2003

By ADAM HIMMELSBACH

RICHMOND--Things would be so much easier on Coy Gibbs if he was seeing some improvement, some sign that this was all worth it.

Maybe a top-five finish or a trip down victory lane. Something to show Gibbs that he has this pesky Busch Series figured out.

The 30-year-old enters the FUNAI 250 at Richmond International Raceway next weekend, however, looking for an answer.

Last year he got a handle on the Craftsman Truck Series, rolling off 12 top-10 finishes and placing 10th in the season standings for the second time.

He added five Busch events to his plate as well, his best finish being 14th at Pikes Peak.

Going full-time on the Busch Series this season, Gibbs expected to see steady progress. That hasn't happened.

He currently sits 16th in the standings with 2,422 points. Of drivers who have competed in all 25 races, Gibbs leads only Mike Harmon and Larry Gunselman.

"We're definitely struggling," Gibbs said. "It's been a long year. We're almost where we want to be in the points, 15th or 16th. As far as performance, we're way off."

Gibbs, however, deserves some slack. He didn't exactly grow up around racing.

The son of former Washington Redskins coach and current Winston Cup car owner Joe Gibbs, football was in Coy's blood.

After moving around the country due to his father's various coaching changes, the Gibbs family settled in the Washington area when Joe was hired by the Redskins in 1982.

The family had a house in Lake of the Woods, and Coy fondly recalls nights jet skiing on the lake and sipping milkshakes at Carl's in Fredericksburg.

A standout linebacker in high school, Coy received a full scholarship to Stanford University.

During the summer after his freshman year, he traveled to Concord, N.H., to watch his brother, J.D., race go-karts.

"I had no idea what he was talking about," Coy said. "I was like, 'OK, this is going to be a joke.' But they were flying. It was awesome and I knew I wanted to be a part of it right then."

The first time he got behind the wheel, he wrecked, but he loved it.

Coy had mild success on the gridiron with the Cardinal, leading the team in tackles during his senior season. Struggling with knee problems and being undersized, though, Coy realized the NFL would be a reach.

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Date published: 8/31/2003