Post by labontefanboy on Jan 12, 2014 21:43:50 GMT -5
Toyota aggressively pursuing Gibbs
While the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series may be off this coming weekend for the Easter holiday, that didn't stop rumors from circulating wildly through the Charlotte area as teams learned of a possible big-time change. Joe Gibbs Racing is reportedly in intense talks with Japanese automaker Toyota, as the team's contract with Chevy ends after this season. FoxSports.com's Lee Spencer was the first to report the discussions, which feature massive manufacturer support as Toyota attempts to land its first big fish in the NASCAR world. In its first year of competition in the highest ranking stock car series in the world, Bobby Hamilton Jr. is the highest ranked Toyota driver at 19th place in the owner's standings, and the second highest is Michael Waltrip in 29th. Without a top-tier team to help lead the manufacturer's research, Toyota Racing Development President Lee White has expressed concern that no Toyota team stands a chance of success. While White nor any other Toyota officials would comment on the situation, J.D. Gibbs acknowledged that he "has talked to Toyota as well as 2 other manufacturers regarding next season". Current JGR drivers J.J. Yeley, Bobby Labonte, and Tony Stewart all professed to know nothing of the situation, simply saying their focus was on making the Chase for the 2007 season and nothing beyond that. (ESPN.com) (4/4/07)
While the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series may be off this coming weekend for the Easter holiday, that didn't stop rumors from circulating wildly through the Charlotte area as teams learned of a possible big-time change. Joe Gibbs Racing is reportedly in intense talks with Japanese automaker Toyota, as the team's contract with Chevy ends after this season. FoxSports.com's Lee Spencer was the first to report the discussions, which feature massive manufacturer support as Toyota attempts to land its first big fish in the NASCAR world. In its first year of competition in the highest ranking stock car series in the world, Bobby Hamilton Jr. is the highest ranked Toyota driver at 19th place in the owner's standings, and the second highest is Michael Waltrip in 29th. Without a top-tier team to help lead the manufacturer's research, Toyota Racing Development President Lee White has expressed concern that no Toyota team stands a chance of success. While White nor any other Toyota officials would comment on the situation, J.D. Gibbs acknowledged that he "has talked to Toyota as well as 2 other manufacturers regarding next season". Current JGR drivers J.J. Yeley, Bobby Labonte, and Tony Stewart all professed to know nothing of the situation, simply saying their focus was on making the Chase for the 2007 season and nothing beyond that. (ESPN.com) (4/4/07)