Joe Gibbs Racing News and Rumors
Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch
#11 |
Denny Hamlin - Driver of FedEx Toyota |
#18 |
Kyle Busch - Driver of Interstate Battery/M&Ms Toyota |
#20 |
Tony Stewart - Driver of Home Depot Toyota |
Monday, July 28, 2008
Ryan Newman not likely to join JGR: Newman's name has been most prominently mentioned to land with Stewart-Haas Racing next season. Sources close to the situation said he also has had discussions with JGR, Richard Childress Racing and Gillett Evernham Motorsports. An RCR official said Friday that he expected Newman to go to Stewart, and JGR president J.D. Gibbs said Sunday it was unlikely the driver of Penske Racing's No. 12 would join his Toyota team. "It would be hard," Gibbs said before the Sprint Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Another time, another day, maybe. He's a great individual. You would love to have him on your team. It's just all those ducks aren't in a row." (ESPN.com)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Logano interested in #20 in 2009: Joey Logano says he isn't campaigning to drive the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Sprint Cup car next season. Even so, the 18-year-old JGR Nationwide Series driver contends that he is interested in the ride, which will be vacated at season's end by Tony Stewart. Stewart is leaving the team after 10 seasons to become an owner/driver at the new Stewart-Haas Racing, which will absorb Haas CNC Racing at the start of 2009. “Nothing has really changed," said Logano, who is making his fifth career Nationwide start in tonight's Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 at Gateway International Raceway. "It’s pretty much the same deal. If they offer it to me, I’d take it. It’s something that has been talked about but I’m not in a position to say anything. I don’t really know what I’m going to do yet. ... I’m focused on the No. 20 Nationwide car right now and from there that is [team owner] Joe [Gibbs] and [team president] J.D.’s [Gibbs] deal.” (SceneDaily.com)
Monday, July 14, 2008
Joe Gibbs plans to keep ownership inside Gibbs family: Joe Gibbs says he's not about to join the trend of offering ownership in his race team in order to retain drivers. Tony Stewart received 50% ownership in making the jump from Joe Gibbs Racing to Stewart Haas Racing. Drivers Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards (who re-signed with Roush Fenway Racing) and Ryan Newman (entertaining offers for 2009) say they've received offers that include a share of team ownership. But JGR is a family operation, and Gibbs, the family patriarch, says he plans to keep it that way. "We have eight grandchildren," Gibbs said. "I'm not worried about (sons) J.D. or Coy. But (the business) is going to be for the grandkids if I have anything to say about it. "We don't have any other business, (so) this has to go for us. Being a family business — we like that for a number of reasons. We don't have to take a vote, we can do whatever we want if it makes sense. We can move fast, and we can get what we want — anything we can afford." (USAToday.com)
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Gibbs preferred not to release Stewart: Joe and J.D. Gibbs made clear Saturday allowing driver Tony Stewart to exit his contract a year early to pursue ownership in Haas CNC Racing was not their preferred option. “First of all, we didn’t let him go. Tony came to us and said he wanted to leave,” said team owner Joe Gibbs. “We had a contract through next year and we talked about that and our initial reaction was we’d race through next year (together). “I think the more we talked it over with ourselves, Tony and Home Depot – Home Depot didn’t have any part of this decision, they didn’t have a choice – we just reached a conclusion that it would probably be best under these set of circumstances to allow Tony to pursue another option.” (ThatsRacin)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Stewart to partner with Haas Racing in 2009; driver/owner at Stewart Haas Racing: Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has set his NASCAR future, and it’s as an owner and driver with Stewart-Haas Racing beginning in 2009. Stewart-Haas Racing is the new partnership between Stewart and Haas CNC Racing, with the revamped entity slated to run two cars full-time in the Sprint Cup Series. “This is an incredible opportunity that allows me to race competitively in NASCAR’s top division while carving out a place in this sport long after my driving career is over,” Stewart said. “I’ve won races and I’ve won championships and I know I could’ve continued to do that at Joe Gibbs Racing, but to attempt to do those things as a car owner is something that really appeals to me. There’s a whole new sense of appreciation and satisfaction that comes with success when you’re both a driver and an owner.” (PR)
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
JGR statement on Stewart's departure: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and Tony Stewart have agreed to part ways upon the conclusion of the 2008 season. The two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion will finish the 2008 Sprint Cup season with JGR behind the wheel of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota. Stewart will also compete for JGR in the two NASCAR Nationwide Series races still remaining on his original, nine-race Nationwide Series schedule – July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., and Aug. 16 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Stewart will pilot the No. 20 Old Spice Toyota in those two events. “We’ve had a lot of success with Tony in our 12 years here at Joe Gibbs Racing,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. “While this moment is bittersweet, we’re parting on good terms and we know that each of us has benefited greatly from the other. “We grew to two teams in the Sprint Cup Series with Tony and The Home Depot in 1999, and two championships and 32 wins followed. While our time together is coming to an end, we know there’s still a lot of racing left this season and we plan to make the most of it. On behalf of everyone at JGR, we’re proud of everything we’ve accomplished together with Tony and we wish him the best in pursuing his dream of NASCAR team ownership.” (JGR PR)
Stewart to make major announcement at Chicagoland: Tony Stewart To Make Official Announcement On His Future After Joe Gibbs Racing On Thursday, July 10th @ 2:30P.M.(EST) From Chicagoland Speedway. (PR)
Frank Bifulco, Chief Marketing Officer of The Home Depot Regarding Tony Stewart’s departure from JGR at the end of the 2008 season: “The Home Depot has had a remarkable relationship with Tony Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing since our sponsorship commenced back in 1998. With two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships and 32 race wins, Tony is a true competitor and an excellent ambassador for our company. Details regarding our future plans will be announced at a later date.” (PR)
Logano in the #20 in 2009? Joey Logano acknowledged on Wednesday that he is a candidate to replace Tony Stewart in the #20 Sprint Cup car at Joe Gibbs Racing next season. "It has been brought up a few times," Logano said as he arrived at JGR for a morning workout. Logano wasn't shocked to hear that Stewart will be released from his final year at JGR next season to pursue other opportunities. Stewart was scheduled to tell his team on Wednesday that this will be his last season, then announce on Thursday in Chicago that he has bought into Haas CNC Racing and will drive for that team with another driver -- Ryan Newman, according to sources, is all but a done deal -- next year. Stewart will unveil his new car with Office Depot as the primary sponsor at a news conference in Indianapolis in two weeks, sources said. Logano, 18, said he will focus the rest of this season on his Nationwide Series ride and hope to get into a few Cup races before the end of the year to prepare him for next season.(ESPN.com)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Zipadelli has options in JGR contract if Stewart leaves: Should Stewart leave, Zipadelli could go with him and extend the longest crew chief-driver reign in Cup. The long-term extension he signed with JGR last season has outs in it if Stewart is not with the organization. But Zipadelli doesn't sound like a man seeking to start over as Stewart would be doing to some degree if he joined a fledgling race team such as Haas. He is happy at JGR and enjoys the security the company offers him and his family, which expanded by one this past Wednesday with the birth of his second son and third child. "Joe Gibbs Racing gave me an opportunity 10 years ago and has not ever given me any reason not to want to be here,'' Zipadelli said. "That's what's disappointing about the situation. I don't think for just racing there's a better place as far as owners. "I know there's other good, competitive race teams out there. I have a lot of respect for them. … I don't know if ever in 10 years we've ever been told no, we couldn't do something.'' (ESPN.com)
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Joey Lagano may attempt a few Cup races later this season: Joey Logano, who in only his third Nationwide Series start won on Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway, likely will compete in a few Sprint Cup races for Joe Gibbs Racing before the end of the season. "We would like to get him in some Cup stuff towards the end of the year," team owner Joe Gibbs said before Sunday's Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. "We want to make sure it's the good stuff and the right way." Gibbs said it was too late in the year to start a fourth Cup team for Logano to run fulltime next season. Asked if Logano might replace Tony Stewart should the two-time Cup champion leave for another team, Gibbs said, "I don't think we've gone in that direction yet. We're still trying to work things out." Stewart is being pursued by several teams, including at least one [Haas CNC Racing] that is offering ownership. Gibbs and his son, team president J.D. Gibbs, have been emphatic that they won't part with Stewart before his contract expires after 2009. They remain optimistic that he will re-sign with JGR and end his career there. "Certainly where we are with Tony right now it's hard to predict the future," Gibbs said. (ESPN.com)
June 25, 2007
Gibbs Denies Toyota Speculation: Gibbs denied published reports saying Joe Gibbs Racing has not agreed to a deal to align with manufacturer Toyota and leave Chevrolet after this season. ''That's not true,'' Gibbs said. ``That's speculation.'' He said Gibbs will hold discussions with Chevy officials in a few weeks, and that he didn't believe any Chevy-backed team had reached agreements for next season. (Miami Herald)
June 24, 2007
Gibbs In discuss with Stewart: Joe Gibbs Racing and Tony Stewart are discussing a contract extension through 2011, team president J.D. Gibbs said Sunday at Infineon Raceway. "We want Tony to be here for a long time," Gibbs said. "Our deal goes through '09 with Tony and we want to add a couple more or however many he wants to go." Gibbs said they have talked about an extension for a while to get Stewart and crew chief Greg Zipadelli signed long-term if the two-time Cup champion plans to race beyond 2009. "I want all those guys on the same page," Gibbs said. "When the time is right, we want to sign him for as long as he wants to drive." (Scene Daily)
June 23, 2007
Gibbs Racing in talks with Toyota? Joe Gibbs and Toyota are “a done deal” for 2008, according to several sources, though team executives said otherwise. Apparently one hangup in the talks between the long-time Chevy operation (which features Tony Stewart) and the Japanese car maker is a clause in Gibbs’ current GM contract which bars the team from negotiating with any other manufacturer until the contract is up. So sources said Gibbs has had to go through an agent in the talks. Gibbs has a major negotiating session scheduled with General Motors in the next two weeks, which should provide the ‘yea,’ or ‘nay’ on that side of the issue. (Salem Journal)
June 19, 2007
Zipadelli helps build a community's better playground with KaBOOM!: Greg Zipadelli, crew chief of the #20 Home Depot Racing Team, is teaming up with volunteers from The Home Depot, Joe Gibbs Racing, KaBOOM! and members of the Detroit community to build a racing-themed playground on Thursday, June 21 with Communities In Schools of Detroit, Inc. The playground is part of The Home Depot's Racing to Play program that is aimed at making a lasting, positive impression in the lives of children who live in NASCAR race communities. The playground's design is based on drawings by children who are served by Communities In Schools, which works to help kids succeed in school and prepare for life. The organization operates in more than 100 schools in the city and serves more than 40,000 children each year. The playground is being built at the Center for Community Collaboration, which is located in an area that is easily accessible by hundreds of the students served by Communities In Schools. The Home Depot's Racing to Play program will build 10 racing-themed KaBOOM! playgrounds in 2007 and is a partnership between The Home Depot, Joe Gibbs Racing, and KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization whose vision is to create a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. In the program's first two years, more than 4,400 volunteers donated approximately 33,300 hours of service to build 20 Racing to Play playgrounds that have impacted the lives of more than 11,000 children in race markets across the country.(True Speed Communications PR)
June 18, 2007
Gibbs in discuss with Toyota? Having lost the Dale Earnhardt Jr. sweepstakes, Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs says his team is focused on its current lineup of drivers. JGR has been with General Motors for 16 years. "We wanted to wait and see what happened with the Junior deal," Gibbs said Sunday prior to the Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway. "And then we're going to sit down and evaluate. We've been a partner with them for 16 years. We're going to look at it and evaluate and make sure we're on the same page. "Obviously, is Toyota out there as a possibility? I think they have probably talked to a number of different groups... We just want to make sure, as the sport changes, how do we stay where we need to be at JGR to stay ahead of the curve? And a big part is manufacturer." Toyota Senior Vice President Lee White would not comment on the company's business dealings. (Scene Daily)
June 15, 2007
Gibbs expected to make a Toyota leap? Savannah Morning News reports, Although Joe Gibbs Racing is talking with Chevrolet about an extension, the team is expected to make a jump to Toyota in the next couple years.
July 17, 2006
Rudd and Gibbs? Joe Gibbs is possibly interested in expanding to a fourth Nextel Cup team - with Ricky Rudd, if Rudd is amenable. Rudd drove Dover for Gibbs last month while Tony Stewart was recuperating, and the Gibbs team was pleased with how easy Rudd was to work with, and with how competitive Rudd still is. (Salem-Journal)
July 15, 2006
Stewart donates to VJGC
July 3, 2006
Home Depot Crew wins Challenge: Tony Stewart’s over-the-wall crew picked up the Checkers®/Rally’s® Double Drive-Thru Challenge win Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway, helping lift the team to its second consecutive victory in the summer classic at the 2.5-mile tri-oval. This is the third pit crew challenge win of the season for the No. 20 team, which now owns second place in the season-long standings. They also took the honors at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway in March. Jimmie Johnson’s crew is in the lead with four victories. "I've never worked with a group of guys that were more dedicated to what they do and why they do it,” said Stewart. “That's what makes nights like this that much more impressive. This is not a race where a driver can go out and just win it. You have to have a fast car -- one that's prepared well -- and you have to have a crew that gets you in and out of the pits consistently fast all night. We had it all working for us tonight. It was a total team effort." The No. 20 over-the-wall crew consists of: Jason Lee (jackman), Tom Dean (front-tire carrier), Ira-Jo Hussey (front-tire changer), Jody Fortson (rear-tire carrier), Todd Foster (rear-tire changer), Jeff Patterson (gasman), Brian Larson (catch can) and Scott Geerts (windshield). The team’s crew chief is Greg Zipadelli and the pit stop coordinator is Paul Alepa. Stewart’s Home Depot Chevrolet spent 205.081 seconds on pit road. (DMF Communications PR)
July 1, 2006
Stewart wins again in Daytona
June 30, 2006
Stewart wins Daytona IROC road race
June 14, 2006:
Gibbs not fond of Stewart racing out Cup series: Car owner Joe Gibbs says he won't keep Tony Stewart from running in races other than Nextel Cup events, but Gibbs is not fond of the practice as his driver recovers from a broken shoulder blade. Stewart's injury was discovered after he crashed in last month's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The incident happened a night after Stewart wrecked in the Busch race. A doctor cleared Stewart after the Busch incident, but Stewart favored his right shoulder before the Cup race. Gibbs is sensitive to his Cup drivers competing in other events. Bobby Labonte broke his shoulder blade in a Busch crash at Darlington in 1999. Labonte didn't return to that series the rest of the year. Gibbs says he's talked to Stewart about the driver's racing schedule. "I think for younger guys that have a chance maybe to up their careers and want laps and all that, that's one set of circumstances,'' said Gibbs, who has Cup rookies Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley, both driving full time in the Busch series. "For Tony, it's different. "He can drive anything. He doesn't need laps. I know he loves it. We did limit a lot of things he's done. He's worked with us on that. He's got a lot to lose. He's got contracts that pay him a lot of money.'' (Roanoke Times)
June 11, 2006:
Hamlin wins first career points race: No one can say Denny Hamlin didn't earn his first Nextel Cup Series victory. His victory in Sunday's Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway was accomplished as much by how he performed on the track as off of it. Hamlin, the pole-winner, led 49 of the first 50 laps and his No. 11 Chevrolet by far the fastest on the track when he cut a right-rear tire on Lap 52, which sent him spinning into the infield grass. He managed to stay off the wall, rolled over some dips in the grass before finally straightening out on the pit road access road. After extensive repairs, Hamlin still remained on the lead lap and worked his way back to the front, the final time taking the lead with 23 of 200 laps remaining. He then held off Kurt Busch by 1.328 seconds for the win. (Charlotte Observer - Results - Points)
June 9, 2006:
Hamlin on the pole: Rookie Denny Hamlin hadn't driven a lap at Pocono prior to Friday's practice, but that didn't stop him from grabbing the pole for the Pocono 500 with a lap of 169.638 mph. "I had not seen the race track until about 16 hours ago," said Hamlin, who won his first pole last year at Phoenix. "I have a racing game that simulates all the tracks and I got on that pretty much all week." Hamlin said he also tucked in behind veteran driver Mark Martin in practice, looking to get a feel for the 2½-mile triangular track. Kurt Busch was second-fastest, running 169.485. (USA Today)
June 7, 2006:
Stewart to attempt full weekend at Pocono
May 28, 2006:
Stewart cleared to race
May 27, 2006:
Stewart and McMurray to the hospital
May 4, 2006:
Hamlin injured in off the track incident: Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin injured his left hand in an off-track accident last night following the conclusion of testing at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The driver of the No. 20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series and the No. 11 FedEx Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series cut his left hand between his pinkie and his wrist. He was taken from the track via ambulance and was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches. Hamlin is expected to participate in all of this weekend's racing activities at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway based upon the evaluations of Joe Gibbs Racing's team physicians. The following is a statement from Hamlin regarding the accident: "The guys were having races around the hauler after the test. I thought I'd try for the best lap of the night, and as I was running around the front of the truck, I caught my hand on a sharp piece of chrome. I got all stitched up and I'll be fine to race this weekend. By the way, I did finish first. Hopefully Coach Gibbs will be impressed that I can play 'hurt'." (True Speed Communications PR)
April 12, 2006:
Hamlin's FedEx team wins Texas Drive-Thru Challenge: Denny Hamlin’s pit crew became the fifth team of the season to secure the weekly Checkers®/Rally’s® Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition by spending the least amount of time on pit road in Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. "The No. 11 FedEx Racing crew was unbelievable and those guys deserve all the credit in the world for the finish we had," said Hamlin, who posted a career best fourth-place result. "From the start of the race they were pulling off quick stops and making good changes. It seemed that every time we needed a lift the guys stepped it up.” Hamlin’s pit crew, part of the Joe Gibbs Racing stable, spent 253.611 seconds on pit lane during the Samsung/RadioShack 500. The team earned $10,500 for the win. The No. 11 over-the-wall team consists of: Chris Webb (jackman), Blake Haughland (front-tire carrier), Donnie Brown (front-tire changer), Heath Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Barry Cook (rear-tire changer), Scott Wood (gasman), John Eicher (catch can), Bobby “Spike” Christenson (windshield) and John Furino (pit support). The team’s crew chief is Mike Ford and the pit crew coordinator is Paul Alepa. Along with the No. 11 team win, the pit crews of Kyle Busch and Elliott Sadler have one win apiece in the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge, while Jimmie Johnson’s and Tony Stewart’s pit crews are tied for first in the standings with two victories each. The season champion will receive a $105,000 bonus. (DMF Communications)
Feb. 28, 2006:
Joe Gibbs Racing signs Husqvarna to sponsor #18: Husqvarna, a global manufacturer of forest, lawn and garden power equipment for all applications, has reached a sponsorship agreement with Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2006 season. The multi-car sponsorship further solidifies Husqvarna’s commitment to racing: The company already serves as the Forest, Lawn & Garden Equipment of NASCAR, and it features a NASCAR branded chainsaw in its product catalog. The contract includes primary sponsorship of Gibbs’ number #18 Chevy for three NASCAR Nextel Cup races. The blue, orange and white car will feature the Husqvarna logo on the hood, quarter panels and back sections. Husqvarna will also be listed on the car’s decklid as well as the transporter and pit box throughout the 2006 season, and the uniform of driver J.J. Yeley will include the Husqvarna name. Husqvarna’s agreement extends into the Joe Gibbs Racing Busch Series team as well. Husqvarna will be the primary sponsor of the number #19 Chevy for four races. Aric Almirola takes the wheel for three of those races. Husqvarna will utilize the Joe Gibbs Racing facility in Huntersville, NC throughout 2006 for dealer events, and will invite select dealers to Washington Redskins football games and pre-season training camp sessions, which are included as part of the sponsorship agreement. (husqvarna.com)
Feb. 21, 2006:
Gibbs statement on Hall of Fame Racing violation: The following is a statement from Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs regarding the $25,000 fine and the deduction of 25 owner and 25 driver points NASCAR levied against the #96 Hall of Fame Racing Team for having an unapproved carburetor during time trials for the Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Hall of Fame Racing has an engine lease program with Joe Gibbs Racing, and the unapproved carburetor came with the engine supplied to Hall of Fame Racing. "Joe Gibbs Racing provides all of the engines and carburetors for Hall of Fame Racing," said Gibbs. "We are responsible for any issues having arisen from the unapproved carburetor that was taken by NASCAR in Daytona. It is never our intention to put any unapproved parts on any of our race cars or those of our partners. We will join Hall of Fame Racing in appealing the severity of the penalty." (Joe Gibbs Racing PR)
Feb. 8, 2006:
Timken new Gibbs technical partner: The Timken Company announced that it has entered into an agreement with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) to become an official technical partner of the NASCAR racing organization. The partnership, which provides product development and technical engineering support, will be leveraged across JGR's multiple team operations in the Nextel Cup Series, Busch Series and Truck Series. For the last two years, Timken has worked collaboratively with the JGR engineering team to develop and test technologies that improve the car's powertrain performance, delivering longer life, improved fuel economy and higher horsepower availability. Products like specialty steels from the company's Latrobe, Pa., operations and Timken RacePac, an integrated hub and bearing assembly specially designed for NASCAR teams, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to safety, reliability and high performance for the motorsports industry. (Timken PR)
Dec. 23, 2005:
Hamlin meets with FedEx workers: Rolling up his sleeves during FedEx's Peak Week, which are the busiest holiday shipping days, #11 FedEx NEXTEL Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin toursedthe FedEx hub in Memphis, Tenn. Hamlin sorted packages, met with hub employees and signed autographs. On Monday, Dec. 19, 2005, FedEx shipped 8.9 million packages around the world, the busiest night in the company's history. (Weber Shandwick PR)
Stewart race version die cast available
Nov. 12, 2005:
Rookie Hamlin grabs pole: In just his sixth race Denny Hamlin grabbed the first Bud Pole of his career in qualifying for the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Driving the No. 11 FedEx Express Chevrolet Monte Carlo around the 1-mile track, Hamlin posted a time of 26.831 seconds which put him ahead of Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle. Teammate Bobby Labonte qualified 5th with a fast lap of 27.020. "It's happened so fast for me that it's really been tough to sink it all in," said Hamlin. "I've been given great cars every week by Mike (Ford, Crew Chief). You know, I feel like any driver could do what I'm doing right now with the equipment I'm being put in. It's just been really good and hopefully we'll ride this wave into next year and hopefully have a shot to get into the Chase." (Joe Gibbs Racing - Starting Grid)
Official Yeley to driver the #18: J.J. Yeley will drive the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet during the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) officials announced Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway. “I’m very excited for this opportunity,” Yeley said. “Obviously, the No. 18 Interstate Batteries car has a lot of history to it and, hopefully, I can add to that. I’m looking forward to representing Interstate Batteries and Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006.” Yeley, a Phoenix native, drove the No. 18 Vigoro/Home Depot Chevrolet for JGR in a partial Busch Series schedule in 2004 before moving to full-time in 2005. He has four top-five and 15 top-10 finishes in his Busch Series career. Yeley also has six career NEXTEL Cup starts, all with JGR, and will compete for the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Raybestos Rookie of the Year title against one of the deepest lineups in ROY history; a lineup that also includes JGR teammate Denny Hamlin. Yeley, 29, is one of only two drivers to win the United States Auto Club “Triple Crown,” in the same season. In 2003, Yeley scored more than 20 feature wins en route to titles in the USAC Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown divisions. His JGR teammate, Tony Stewart, accomplished the “Triple Crown” in 1995. (Joe Gibbs Racing)
Nov. 10, 2005:
Yeley to be named to Gibbs #18: In a news conference scheduled for Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway, Yeley, a Phoenix native, will be introduced as the newest driver in the powerful Joe Gibbs Racing lineup. Yeley, 29, is replacing Bobby Labonte, who is vacating the No. 18 Chevrolet at the end of the season. Yeley, who has driven a NASCAR Busch Series car for Gibbs the past two seasons, joins a stable that includes Stewart and promising rookie Denny Hamlin. (AZCentral)
Nov. 7, 2005:
B. Labonte and JGR part ways after '05: Bobby Labonte and Joe Gibbs Racing will conclude an 11-year relationship at the end of the 2005 NEXTEL Cup Series season, Labonte and officials from JGR announced Nov. 7. Labonte’s future plans, as well as a replacement driver for the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet, will be announced at a later date. “I regret to say that this is the final year that I will be at Joe Gibbs Racing,” Labonte said. “One of the things that made this decision so difficult was thinking of all the fans that have supported me at JGR throughout the past 11 years. This relationship has lasted a long time, and I hate that it has to end. Joe Gibbs and his family gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, and I want to thank them, and all the employees at JGR, for 11 years of hard work. I will always cherish the times at JGR, and the only thing that I regret is that we didn’t win more races and or championships. I wish everyone at JGR continued success in the future and I want to thank J.D. (Gibbs, president of JGR) for giving me the chance to be released from my contract early and letting me pursue other opportunities.” (Joe Gibbs Racing)
Yeley to replace Labonte? #18-Bobby Labonte has refused for several months to talk about his future plans, and he has become increasingly testy when pressed on the issue. Labonte is being actively wooed by both Bill Davis and Kyle Petty for 2006, and Joe Gibbs, Labonte's current car owner, has been told that Labonte won't be back, according to sources. Gibbs has tentatively set a press conference for next week at Phoenix to announce J. J. Yeley as Labonte's replacement, regardless of which direction Labonte takes. (Winston Salem Journal)
Nov. 6, 2005:
Hamlin named driver of #11 FedEx Car: The #11 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team fielded by Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has named Denny Hamlin as the driver for the remainder of the 2005 season and all of 2006. After a successful four-race tryout in the #11 FedEx Chevrolet where Hamlin scored two top-10 finishes and two top-10 qualifying efforts, the 24-year-old from Chesterfield, Va., has essentially been promoted from within the Gibbs organization. Hamlin is the regular driver for JGR's #20 NASCAR Busch Series team, where he is currently fifth in the championship point standings. Jimmy Makar, a veteran crew chief who now serves as JGR's senior vice-president of racing, concurs. "Denny is ready for Nextel Cup. Each step he's taken to get to this point, he's excelled. Last year we put him in a few Craftsman Truck Series races and he always seemed to qualify and finish in or near the top-10. In his Busch debut, it was more of the same. He's run very well this year in his first full season of Busch, and if it weren't for some bad luck here and there, he'd probably have a win or two. We'd be holding Denny back if we didn't give him this opportunity." Hamlin will run for Rookie of the Year honors in 2006, as his Nextel Cup rookie status will be preserved this year by running only seven races. Hamlin will continue to drive the #20 car in the Busch Series full-time in 2006, getting as much seat time as possible at Nextel Cup venues where the Busch Series runs companion races. For the handful of race weekends where the Nextel Cup Series and the Busch Series race at different venues, Hamlin will follow a schedule similar to the one used this year by Carl Edwards, who is campaigning a full Nextel Cup and Busch Series schedule for Roush Racing. (True Speed Communication)
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