It was Toyota day in the Media Tour. Joe Gibbs Racing, along with its first championship earned by Kyle Busch, comes into 2016 fairly intact from the success of 2015. Only a personnel change here and there are different from a four-car team that won 12 races. Carl Edwards will get a new crew chief in Dave Rogers, and Denny Hamlin will have some personnel changes on his team, but the organization comes into 2016 intact.
This is the 25th year for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Sprint Cup Series
Furniture Row Racing made a big change in changing manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota, and everyone from Team Manager Joe Garone to driver Martin Truex Jr. seems to be pleased and confident. Part of the reason for that is a major sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops will appear on the car in nine races in 2016. The car has been totally sponsored by car owner Barney Visser, but most of the optimism this reporter saw came from the change in manufacturers.
“Toyota is not a sponsor, but more of a partner,” Garone said. When asked what was the major difference in the new alliance, Garone said, “It’s the Camry. We’re miles ahead of last year with Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing. We’re really looking forward to Daytona and the rest of the season.”
Garone admitted that the move to Toyota was not a sudden decision. “There has been years of talks and negotiations with Toyota before the deal was struck.”
Tomorrow is Ford Wednesday as the Media Tour continues.
