X
J.D. Gibbs through the years
Monday, February 18, 2019
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
1 of 18
View Fullscreen
J.D. Gibbs passed away on January 11 at age 49 after a long battle with neurological illness. On February 17, 2019, Denny Hamlin took victory in the Daytona 500, dedicating the triumph to Gibbs. Here, Hamlin celebrates with Jackson, the son of the late Gibbs. Take a look at other moments from Gibbs' time in NASCAR.
Nick Laham | NASCAR via Getty Images
2 of 18
View Fullscreen
J.D. Gibbs embraces Denny Hamlin after Hamlin drove the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to victory in the NASCAR All-Star Race in 2015 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Chris Trotman | Getty Images
3 of 18
View Fullscreen
Another customary bear hug was part of the Victory Lane celebration for J.D. Gibbs with Denny Hamlin after the No. 11 team's 2009 triumph at Pocono Raceway.
John Harrelson | Getty Images
4 of 18
View Fullscreen
Denny Hamlin chats with J.D. Gibbs on the pre-race grid at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2010.
Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images
5 of 18
View Fullscreen
Hamlin's relationship with Gibbs remained strong through the years. The two shared a laugh with crew chief Mike Ford on the grid at Talladega Superspeedway in 2010.
Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images
6 of 18
View Fullscreen
Denny Hamlin's hiring yielded quick dividends with a victory in the non-points Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway in 2006. J.D. Gibbs stood by him in Victory Lane.
Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images
7 of 18
View Fullscreen
Denny Hamlin's introduction as a key part of Joe Gibbs Racing's future came November 6, 2005 at Texas Motor Speedway, with team president J.D. Gibbs and vice president Jimmy Makar alongside.
Chris Trotman | Getty Images
8 of 18
View Fullscreen
J.D. Gibbs made a lasting impact on the NASCAR world as a driver, crewman and founding member of the Joe Gibbs Racing organization.
Chris Trotman | Getty Images
9 of 18
View Fullscreen
J.D. Gibbs takes New York City's Times Square with driver Tony Stewart and crew chief Greg Zipadelli in their celebration of the 2004 championship.
Kevin C. Cox | Getty Images
10 of 18
View Fullscreen
J.D. Gibbs was also instrumental in bringing Kyle Busch into the Joe Gibbs Racing fold for 2008. That year included a change in manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota.
Jason Smith | Getty Images for NASCAR
11 of 18
View Fullscreen
J.D. Gibbs stands alongside Kyle Busch and his girlfriend (now wife) Samantha at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2008.
Jason Smith | Getty Images for NASCAR
12 of 18
View Fullscreen
Joe and J.D. Gibbs pose for photographs during the NASCAR Media Tour in 2011. J.D. Gibbs -- the eldest son of Joe Gibbs -- took over JGR's day-to-day operations during his father's second stint coaching the NFL's Washington Redskins.
Jason Smith | Getty Images
13 of 18
View Fullscreen
J.D. Gibbs held the roles of team president and co-chairman in his term as an executive at Joe Gibbs Racing.
Streeter Lecka | Getty Images
14 of 18
View Fullscreen
J.D. and Joe Gibbs enjoy a light-hearted moment during a preseason media availability in 2013.
Tom Pennington | Getty Images
15 of 18
View Fullscreen
Joe and J.D. Gibbs celebrated the owners championship in what's now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series with driver Joey Logano in 2012. JGR brought Logano up to NASCAR's premier series for his rookie season in 2009.
Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images
16 of 18
View Fullscreen
More hugs were in order that season as J.D. Gibbs congratulated Kyle Busch in Victory Lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images
17 of 18
View Fullscreen
Joe and J.D. Gibbs posed alongside Richard Petty in a photo of NASCAR team owners in Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway in 2016 as part of the debut of the Daytona Rising renovation project.
Grant Halverson | Getty Images
18 of 18
View Fullscreen
J.D. Gibbs savors some good-natured teasing of his father during a preseason interview session in 2007.
