 Gibson's racing career began in 1974 when, at the age of 16, he began competing in races at Volusia County Speedway; also running at New Smyrna Speedway, where he won the track's championship in 1979.He began competing in the ARCA Racing Series in 1981, he moved from the Daytona Beach area to central Georgia in 1985, and won the series' Rookie of the Year title in 1986.He was the last ARCA driver to qualify at over at Daytona International Speedway.