Team President
J.D. Gibbs was named president of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) in October 1997 and during the past 13 years he has overseen the team's expansion from fielding just the No. 18 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to adding the No. 20 car as the organization's second car in 1999 and then a third car via the No. 11 team in 2005. During that same time frame JGR has grown to include two NASCAR Nationwide Series teams, a driver development program, and most recently JGRMX – a motorcross team.
The team's growth, which now includes approximately 450 employees, has not hindered its overall success as the organization continues to be one of NASCAR's premiere race teams with three NASCAR Cup championships (2000, 2002 and 2005) to its credit and two NASCAR Nationwide Series Championships (2008 Owner's Championship and 2009 Owner's and Driver's Championships).
J.D. has been with JGR since he joined his father, Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibbs, in the task of launching the organization in 1992. During that time he has had the opportunity to experience nearly every facet of the business. In fact, he changed tires on the car that carried JGR to its first NASCAR victory – the 1993 Daytona 500. He also raced Late Model stock cars at short tracks throughout North Carolina, eventually advancing to professional NASCAR touring series by competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Series East and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Ultimately, managing JGR is where J.D. felt the most comfortable.
Despite his comfort in the position, running an organization the size of JGR comes with its own set of challenges. One of the first big challenges arrived in 2004 when the organization's owner and founder decided to return to the NFL as head coach of the Washington Redskins. JGR never missed a beat despite and went on to capture its third NASCAR Cup Championship in 2005 under J.D.'s leadership.
Coach Gibbs returned to JGR prior to the start of the 2008 season but new challenges continued to surface. After a decade of success that included two NASCAR Cup Series Championships, Tony Stewart made the decision to leave JGR at the end of the 2008 campaign to own his own Cup team. Thanks to its driver development program, JGR didn't have to search long for Stewart's replacement, naming Joey Logano as the new driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota in 2009. At just 19 years of age, Logano is the youngest winner in Nationwide Series history, Sprint Cup Series history and Raybestos Rookie of the Year history.
Keeping the organization rich in talent to remain competitive on the track each season is something on which J.D. places a high priority for JGR. In addition to keeping its internal staff strong, maintaining external partnerships that allow JGR the opportunity to be successful is equally as important.
During the 2008 season The Home Depot made the decision to extend its decade-long relationship with JGR and the No. 20 team. FedEx joined the organization in 2005 to serve as the primary sponsor for JGR's third team – the No. 11 team and driver Denny Hamlin – and continues to be a strong partner. M&M'S joined the organization for the 2008 campaign as the primary sponsor for the No. 18 JGR team and newcomer Kyle Busch, and the response to the partnership has been strong on every level with an amazing eight-win season. Maintaining those relationships has been important to JGR's success under J.D.'s guidance and nothing is more evident than the lasting relationship enjoyed with Interstate Batteries. Interstate Batteries company president Norm Miller made the decision to sponsor JGR's first entry into NASCAR in 1992 and remains an essential partner to JGR.
In addition to its sponsors J.D. oversaw an important change prior to the 2008 NASCAR season when JGR decided to partner with Toyota. The change proved to be an unquestioned success as all three JGR Sprint Cup teams made the Chase for the Championship for the first time in the five years the sport has operated under the Chase format. Additionally, JGR captured its first championship in Nationwide Series competition by winning the car owner's title. A year later, all three JGR Sprint Cup teams visited victory lane and the organization would add another Nationwide Series title.
While each NASCAR season presents unique challenges, 2010 also brings excitement to the Gibbs family with plans for a very special event in May. Joe Gibbs Racing will partner with Charlotte Motor Speedway to host Taylor's Finish Line Festival on the grounds of the track's drag strip. The Gibbs' family was greatly affected three years ago when J.D. and wife Melissa's youngest son Taylor was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Fortunately, Taylor is currently in remission and the festival will celebrate the completion of his three-year chemotherapy treatment with a family friendly event that will benefit both the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Levine Children's Hospital.
J.D. makes his home in Davidson, N.C. with his wife Melissa and their four boys – Jackson, Miller, Jason and Taylor.
