Breaking news
NASCAR Cup Daytona 500
Joe Gibbs at Daytona: "I don't want to let J.D. down"
Joe Gibbs Racing may begin the 2019 NASCAR without co-founder J.D. Gibbs but Joe Gibbs insisted Friday that “J.D. lives on in us.”
Jim Utter
Published: Feb 15, 2019, 10:29 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
J.D. Gibbs, the eldest son of Joe Gibbs, died Jan. 11 due to complications following a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease.
A memorial service, attended by more than 3,000 people and live-streamed on NASCAR.com, was held on Jan. 25 at Davidson (N.C.) College.
In previous interviews since his death, JGR driver Denny Hamlin said he planned to dedicate this season to J.D. and would like to win the Daytona 500 in his honor.
“I’ve got to tell you, it’s been a time for our family and to see everybody in this sport and everybody that has stepped up to help us, everybody, Toyota, our friends, Bob (Leavine), everybody, there’s been so many people that walk up to me and say, J.D. did the following,” Joe Gibbs said Friday at Daytona International Speedway.
“There’s so many small stories. J.D., I honestly believe, not just because he’s my son, I think J.D. was living a godly life and was touching so many people, and it’s come back over and over again.”
Joe Gibbs said his organization is using this weekend’s season opener to direct attention to the JDGibbsLegacy.com Web site, which houses a video of the memorial service and information about the J.D. Gibbs Legacy Fund.
Read Also:
“J.D.’s life, J.D. lives on. He lives on in us, those four boys, his family, and all those that he’s touched. God in his Word said that those that have gone on before are in Heaven cheering us on,” Gibbs said.
“I don’t want to let J.D. down, and I just really appreciate how many people here prayed. This is a close-knit family in a lot of ways, and so many people have stepped up to help us.
“I can’t thank you enough. J.D. had a vision of helping inner-city kids with young life. The funds that have been flowing into that have been unbelievable. So, J.D. is going to live on in all those ways.
“I just thank everybody here that’s been a part of that.”
Ed Laukes, group vice president of marketing for Toyota Motor North America, also announced Friday that during Sunday’s broadcast of the Daytona 500, Fox Sports will do a tribute lap for J.D. Gibbs on Lap 11.
The No. 11 was J.D.’s favorite number from playing football and is currently Hamlin’s car number in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Menard leads second Friday practice ahead of the Daytona 500
Next article Joey Logano "rode the wave" but he's now a "past champion"
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jim Utter
Erik Jones agrees to multi-year contract extension with Legacy Motor Club
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Erik Jones agrees to multi-year contract extension with Legacy Motor Club
Goodyear's option tires at Richmond "were like Mario Kart with a star"
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Richmond II
Goodyear's option tires at Richmond "were like Mario Kart with a star"
NASCAR: Austin Dillon move was "really close to crossing the line"
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Richmond II
NASCAR: Austin Dillon move was "really close to crossing the line"
Latest news
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Alex Marquez claims pole from Marc Marquez; Jorge Martin out
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
15 min
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Alex Marquez claims pole from Marc Marquez; Jorge Martin out
Two drivers and 20 points will determine NASCAR Trucks title at Homestead
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Martinsville
43 min
Two drivers and 20 points will determine NASCAR Trucks title at Homestead
Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson handed F1 Mexico GP grid penalties after practice clash
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
45 min
Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson handed F1 Mexico GP grid penalties after practice clash
Jorge Martin withdraws from Malaysian GP, putting MotoGP title hopes at risk
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
1 h
Jorge Martin withdraws from Malaysian GP, putting MotoGP title hopes at risk
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe