Joe Gibbs Racing Co-Founder J.D. Gibbs has passed away
Late Friday evening, Joe Gibbs Racing announced the passing of J.D. Gibbs, the son of team owner Joe Gibbs, and the Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the organization.
He was 49 years old.
The younger Gibbs passed away due to complications from “a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease”, according to a team release.
Gibbs entered treatment for the condition in early 2015. Though his presence at the track diminished greatly at that time, he still maintained a day-to-day role in the organization.
JGR was formed in 1992, with J.D. serving as a tire changer early on. After a brief (and unsuccessful) attempt at a driving career, the younger Gibbs became team president in 1998.
J.D. Gibbs also played defensive back and quarterback at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia before joining JGR.
The organization has won four championships since its founding, with drivers Bobby Labonte (2000), Tony Stewart (2002 & 2005), and Kyle Busch (2015).
The organization’s current drivers are Denny Hamlin, Busch, Martin Truex Jr., and Erik Jones.
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Jimmie Johnson unveils new paint scheme for 2019 season
Towards the end of last season while the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs were under way, Ally Financial made the announcement that they would be serving as the primary sponsor on Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 car for the 2019 season.
On Friday morning, Johnson and a special friend were able to reveal the finished project on Good Morning America.
Johnson was personally involved with the design of the paint scheme, which incorporates Ally’s branded purple with a neon yellow No. 48 that has been part of Johnson’s career for a long time.
Ally came on board with Johnson after longtime sponsor Lowe’s announced it would not be renewing its sponsorship of the No. 48 car for the 2019 season.
Joining Johnson for the unveil was 10-year-old Trevin, a boy from Florida with cystic fibrosis, who was flown in by Make-A-Wish to let him know that his wish to attend the Daytona 500 would come true.
And, while he was there, why not help unveil the car too?
Trevin will be a guest of Johnson’s during the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 17.
The seven-time champion will also have a new crew chief atop the pit box this season in Kevin Meendering. Johnson had worked with Chad Knaus virtually his entire previous Cup Series career, as the pair won 81 races and seven championships together. Knaus is moving over to serve as the crew chief for Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, William Byron.
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NASCAR laid off multiple employees on Friday
As reported on by our own Jerry Jordan yesterday, NASCAR laid off a substantial amount of employees on Friday, with the estimated number hovering right around 50. NASCAR did not release any official numbers, names, or any other details regarding those released from their positions.
“As all good businesses do, NASCAR is committed to strengthening its operation to ensure that resources are aligned to strategies that grow the sport and drive our business,” said the company in a written statement. “We have a talented team at NASCAR and we’re confident that greater focus on the opportunities to drive fan interest and strong industry partnerships will help our sport achieve long-term growth.”
According to motorsport.com, the layoffs were company wide and would have included multiple locations. NASCAR currently has offices in Daytona Beach, Florida; Charlotte, North Carolina; Concord, North Carolina; New York City, New York; and Los Angeles, California.
Throughout 2018, rumors and discussions began to surface that NASCAR was up for sale, though then-CEO Brian France said at the time that “the France family is locked and loaded in in its dedication to NASCAR”.
In November of 2018, NASCAR made a bid to acquire outstanding shares of sister company International Speedway Corporation in an effort to combine the two organizations. ISC owns eight of the tracks that currently make up the NASCAR schedule.
NASCAR also purchased the ARCA Racing Series in April of 2018 in what was stated as an effort to grow the sport of stock car racing.
The official green flag of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season is Sunday, February 17, for the Daytona 500. NASCAR has not yet made any official changes as to the business operations of the sport or any further movements of personnel.
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Furniture Row still has some important work to do
Despite achieving perhaps one of the most beloved underdog feats in NASCAR history by winning the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship with driver Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row Racing shut down at the end of the 2018 season.
While multiple aspects played a role, the decision ultimately came down to one word: finances.
Now, Truex and crew chief Cole Pearn have moved on to Joe Gibbs Racing, but some important work will still be continuing from the company that bore the race team’s namesake.
Former team owner Barney Visser reached out to fans in a post on the website on Friday stating that a partnership with Denver-based neurosurgeon Dr. Scott Falci that already existed while the team was still competing is going to continue even though the race team has officially shut its doors.
Furniture Row Racing, Denver Mattress and Furniture Row provided racecars to Falci’s adaptive motorsports program, known officially as “The Falci Adaptive Biosystems Program”. The program worked with the goal of bringing “mobility to paraplegic, quadriplegic, and disabled individuals”.
Furniture Row and Denver Mattress will continue to supply the race car used to demonstrate the technology that is part of Falci’s program, with former FRR team president Joe Garone leading the charge. Visser stated that he would no longer be personally involved in the operation.
The goal is for Garone to work with Falci and Charlotte-based Spire Sports & Entertainment to bring the racecar to multiple special events for the purposes of fundraising and awareness, which may include future NASCAR Cup Series races.
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Leilani Munter leads ARCA test session in Daytona
In the first of a schedule two-day test session for the ARCA Racing Series at Daytona International Speedway, Leilani Munter had the fastest time of the afternoon with a speed of 184.064 miles per hour at 48.896 seconds. Munter’s fastest lap was obtained while leading a group of other cars.
Munter’s Venturini Motorsports teammates were also showing some serious speed, as they took up four out of the top-five fastest speeds in the afternoon session. Christian Eckes was second quickest, followed by Harrison Burton and Michael Self. The only non-Venturini Motorsports driver in the top five was Todd Gilliland.
Self was announced as Venturini Motorsports’ fourth driver earlier in the day. With full-season sponsorship from Sinclair Oil Corporation, the 28-year-old will have the chance to go for the championship for the first time in his career.
“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to compete for an ARCA championship with Sinclair Oil,” Self said in a team release. “Sinclair has been an incredible partner, and the fans have loved seeing DINO on the track. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together this season.”
In the morning session at DIS, Codie Rohrbaugh had the fastest time, with a lap of 50.528 seconds at 178.119 mph. Gilliland was second in this session, followed by Ty Gibbs. Riley Herbst and Burton rounded out the top five.
ARCA teams will have two test session available Saturday, January 12th as well, from 9:00AM – 12:00PM ET and from 1:00PM – 5:00PM ET.
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So sad we lost a member of nascar. He will be very much missed but never forgotten. He will always be in our hearts and looking over us . Prayers to the family.