Gibbs not decided on either Chevy or Toyota-UPDATED
Quote selected text Published August 26th, 2007 in NASCAR News
UPDATE:
Don’t expect a Toyota announcement that Joe Gibbs Racing has joined the manufacturer’s stable next week when the Nextel Cup Series heads to the backyard of Toyota’s base in California.
Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs said no announcement is planned for the Aug. 31-Sept. 2 race weekend at California Speedway and his team is still mulling whether to extend its contract with Chevrolet.
“Nope - nothing there,” Gibbs said Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway when asked if an announcement could come next week. “Nothing new … We’re not under huge pressure [to decide].”
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Joe Gibbs Racing isn’t ready to announce its plans for a 2008 manufacturer. JGR has been talking with both Chevrolet - its current manufacturer - and Toyota. At a Tuesday morning press conference to introduce driver Kyle Busch into the team’s fold, JGR President J.D. Gibbs said no decisions have been made yet.
“We’re kind of the same phase I think a lot of those teams are,” Gibbs said. “I think really in the next several weeks, we’re going to really have to figure out where our future is and in what direction.”
Busch was asked if a possible manufacturer switch was weighed as part of his decision-making process.
“I took it into consideration,” he said. “But as I looked at it, I thought about it and was like, ‘Well, Joe Gibbs Racing, they’ve done pretty well at what they’ve done so far and I feel like they’ll make the right decision.’
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i think that sum one told me that tony had a deal with chey until 2009? so how would that work?
If I was GM I wouldn’t be too happy that Gibbs is even considering jumping switch. I would cut him loose right about now.
A rumor I heard is that Tony has a clause to leave if he wants when there is a manufacturer change. I’ve also heard that Home Depot has some kind of ties to GM that are causing problems for Gibbs making the change.
Hmm.. Well if Tony really doesn’t want to go to Toyota
don’t you think he would voice his opinions?
Because he hasn’t said anything about it.
I really don’t think he will leave. But I’m not really sure
if Gibbs would stick with Chevy now. He’s just toying with us! >
I smell Toyota coming on board at JGR, hence the delay.
As far as Tony goes……money talks and Toyota has PLENTY of that.
As far behind as Toyota is in Cup It will take a year or two before JGR is back up to speed no matter how good there drivers are.
Agreed, Anon. Everyone in Columbus, IN keep your eyes out for the groundbreaking ceremony for Tony Stewart Toyota in the coming months!
Tony has said publicly that “gibbs racing has won championships with two types of cars, so it does not matter to him.”
If he hasn’t made up his mind yet, LET YOUR OPINION BE HEARD!
Call Joe Gibbs Racing at 704-944-5000. If you call after regular business hours and just listen through the record it will go to voicemail. Tell them that you are a fan and that you don’t want them to switch!
I’m a huge JGR fan and I DON’T care if they switch. GRE8T hit it head-on, though. There will be a recovery period after the switch.
i am for what ever they decided to drive as long a tony wins some races but dont care about kyle bush though he can go home for all i care!! i say put bobby labonte back in the 18 car
ok, listen most of you no good race fans, Tony is NOT going for the money, he is going for the raceing. Whoever thinks he’s in NASCAR for money, can just delete every comment they ever posted at this website because they obviously never watched a real lap at any race in their entire lives. wake up. Oh and it doesn’t take a year for jgr to get up to speed, who ever said that, you gotta screw loose, jgr is kickin @$$ and always will especialy with the good drivers they have running for him.
I’ll be willing to concede to you Nicholas, if in fact JGR can hit the ground running next year. I believe the issue is that Toyota isn’t strong enough yet as a competitor and they have a way to go before being a contender.
JGR has been using Chevrolets and Pontiacs who had established racing programs. Toyota is only well-established in CTS and are struggling bad in Cup. Motors seems to be a problem and I’m not sure if that’s the fault of the car owners or Toyota or both. But it is a problem JGR will have to get a handle on for sure.
It took them a while to dominate in CTS. They managed to get a Busch Series win but I see that more of a random event. To compare: Look at Gilliland winning one Busch race last year and see what he has accomplished since. Let Toyota win a few more Busch races to bolster that first win.
No doubt, landing JGR will be the turning point for Toyota. Maybe if they take some of the notes from this year and combine it with JGR’s experience and strength, then maybe, just maybe Toyota will be contending in the Chase next year (or at the very least in the top-35 in points). Don’t forget JGR will have to throw out most of their notes as they are starting 100% clean and I doubt they’ll want MWR or BDR’s notes. Then again, we are going 100% COT next year so my point may be moot.
I’m taking a more pessimistic view so if JGR takes a few wins and lands a car or two in the Chase next year, I will be elated and jumping for joy. Either way, JGR has their work cut out for them as no one in Cup has been running with the ball for Toyota this year.
With the COT car next year, it will not be a big disadvantage to switch. Next year is a perfect time to switch.