NASCAR Team Spotlight: Joe Gibbs Racing

Joe Gibbs Racing 2014 Preview

By Richard Tix

How great would it be to have a top tier team in 2012 and then get better in 2013 by bringing in a Championship contender? Well, just ask Mr Gibbs. 2013 he brought in Matt Kenseth and parted ways with the young Joey Logano and it seemed to pay off. Kenseth made a great run at Jimmie Johnson and his second Championship but couldn't quiet finish it off. The only downfall to the season was when Denny Hamlin got hurt and never fully made it back to 100%.

2013 Team Stats:

• Wins: 12
• Top 5: 32
• Top 10: 50

Matt Kenseth

• Kenseth finished 2013 with the most wins in NASCAR (7) so that isn't a bad start when you are the new guy at JGR. Kenseth also had 12 top 5's and 20 top 10's on his way to a second place finish in the standings. The questions is, what will year two with JGR bring?

Kyle Busch

• Kyle Busch had his best year every, well not really, but he did have his best finish ever. In 2013 he finally broke the ice in the Chase and finished 4th. 2014 NASCAR is changing emphasis to winning so could it help Kyle out? My guess is yes, but we will wait and see. What we do know is he finished 2013 with 4 wins, 16 top 5's, and 22 top 10's (Career high). 

Denny Hamlin

• For the first time in his 8 year career DH missed the Chase (full-time seasons only). Missing the Chase was completely out of his control and he couldn't come back fast enough, strong enough, from his back injury. Looking at his stats wont do DH justice, but I will leave it at this; Denny Hamlin finished 2013 as the last winner.

Previous Team Spotlight: Hendrick Motorsports