HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., Sept. 5 Joe Gibbs Racing Wednesday confirmed its reported change to Toyota, ending its 16-year relationship with General Motors.
"This decision was made by all of the key leadership at JGR," said Jimmy Makar, senior vice president of racing operations for JGR, at a news conference Wednesday. "It was a decision made by the people in our competition department, who live by the one question whenever a decision is made regarding Joe Gibbs Racing: 'Will this make us more competitive on the race track?' The consensus answer was yes."
JGR, which has been associated with GM since its debut in the 1992 Daytona 500, has won three Nextel Cup Series championships and more than 70 NASCAR races, with Tony Stewart as its top driver.
Kyle Busch joins JGR next season.
"While we understand the business nature of racing, we are disappointed," said Brent Dewar, GM North America vice president of vehicle sales, service and parts, in a statement.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
