DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Team owners Richard Petty, Joe Gibbs, and son JD Gibbs, pose for a photo prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

J.D. Gibbs through the years

By | Published: February 17, 2019 18

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

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Denny Hamlin celebrates his 2019 Daytona 500 victory with Jackson Gibbs, the son of the late J.D. Gibbs.

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

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.

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Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, celebrates with a team owner, J.D. Gibbs, after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 16, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Nick Laham/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Nick Laham | NASCAR via Getty Images

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.

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LONG POND, PA - AUGUST 03: Denny Hamlin (R), driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, and team owner J.D. Gibbs pose in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at the Pocono Raceway on August 3, 2009 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Chris Trotman | Getty Images

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.

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BRISTOL, TN - AUGUST 21: Denny Hamlin (R), driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, talks with team owner J.D. Gibbs prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 21, 2010 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

John Harrelson | Getty Images

Denny Hamlin chats with J.D. Gibbs on the pre-race grid at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2010.

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TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 31: Denny Hamlin (R), driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, talks with car owner J.D. Gibbs (L) and crew chief Mike Ford (C) during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AMP Energy Juice 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 31, 2010 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

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.

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DAYTONA BEACH , FL - FEBRUARY 12: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Chevrolet and team President J.D. Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing celebrate in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup Budweiser Shootout on February 12, 2006 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

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.

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 6: Denny Hamlin (Front) with (L-R) team president J.D. Gibbs and vice president Jimmy Makar, announce Hamlin as the driver of the #11 FedEx Chevrolet, during a press conference at the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Dickies 500 on November 6, 2005 at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

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.

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 22: Team owner J.D. Gibbs speaks during the NASCAR Nationwide/Camping World Truck Series Banquet at Loews Miami Beach Hotel on November 22, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Chris Trotman | Getty Images

J.D. Gibbs made a lasting impact on the NASCAR world as a driver, crewman and founding member of the Joe Gibbs Racing organization.

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NEW YORK - DECEMBER 1: Tony Stewart (C), the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion, poses with team owner JD Gibbs (L) and crew chief Greg Zipadelli with the Nextel Cup in Times Square December 1, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Trotman | Getty Images

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.

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HUNTERSVILLE, NC - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Interstate Batteries Chairman Norm Miller, NEXTEL Cup Series driver Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing team president J.D. Gibbs announce that Busch will join Joe Gibbs Racing next season during a press conference on August 14, 2007 in Huntersville, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Kevin C. Cox | Getty Images

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.

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 27: (L-R) Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, stands with Samantha Sarcinella and J.D. Gibbs, President of Joe Gibbs Racing, during pre-race activities for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Jason Smith | Getty Images for NASCAR

J.D. Gibbs stands alongside Kyle Busch and his girlfriend (now wife) Samantha at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2008.

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HUNTERSVILLE, NC - JANUARY 27: Joe Gibbs (R) poses with JGR President J.D. Gibbs (L) during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway, held at Joe Gibbs Racing, on January 27, 2011 in Huntersville, North Carolina. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Jason Smith | Getty Images for NASCAR

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.

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CONCORD, NC - JANUARY 18: Joe Gibbs Racing team president J.D. Gibbs speaks with the media and fans during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on January 18, 2010 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jason Smith | Getty Images

J.D. Gibbs held the roles of team president and co-chairman in his term as an executive at Joe Gibbs Racing.

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CONCORD, NC - JANUARY 24: (L-R) J.D. Gibbs, President of JGR, sits beside his father and team owner, Joe Gibbs, as they speak to the media during the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour on January 24, 2013 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Streeter Lecka | Getty Images

J.D. and Joe Gibbs enjoy a light-hearted moment during a preseason media availability in 2013.

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HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Team owner Joe Gibbs, Joey Logano, driver of the #18 GameStop/Afterglow Toyota, and J.D. Gibbs celebrate after winning the owners point championship after the NASCAR Nationwide Series Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17, 2012 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tom Pennington | Getty Images

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.

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LAS VEGAS - MARCH 01: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, celebrates in victory lane with Team President JD Gibbs after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Shelby 427 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

More hugs were in order that season as J.D. Gibbs congratulated Kyle Busch in Victory Lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

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Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

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.

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HUNTERSVILLE, NC - JANUARY 22: J.D. Gibbs (R) teases his father, Joe Gibbs during an event at Joe Gibbs Racing January 22, 2007 in Huntersville, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Grant Halverson | Getty Images

J.D. Gibbs savors some good-natured teasing of his father during a preseason interview session in 2007.