J.D. Gibbs '92

In January of 2004, when Joe Gibbs ended an 11-year hiatus from the NFL coaching ranks -- leaving his championship winning race team to return to the sidelines as coach of the Washington Redskins -- the immediate question from NASCAR racing pundits was, "Who will run Joe Gibbs Racing?"

The answer was as simple as the question. The same person who had been running Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) since October of 1997 would continue running JGR. And that man was Gibbs' oldest son, J.D.

The 2006 racing season marked J.D.'s ninth year as president of JGR, and while his dad entered year three of a drastically different NFL than the one he left back in March of 1993, J.D. presides over a race team that is drastically different than the one he joined full-time upon graduating from the College of William and Mary in 1992.

But it's managing JGR where J.D. feels most comfortable, despite the incredible growth of the once small, family-owned team.

"As far as my title goes, things really haven't changed," said J.D. "The responsibilities have certainly grown, but what I actually do really hasn't been any different. We have more people and a lot more sponsors counting on us to make good decisions, but the scope of those decisions really hasn't changed. We always work in the best interests of our race team and in the best interests of our sponsors, who are really partners with JGR."

As the sport and JGR continue to evolve, J.D.'s role stays the same, albeit with increased pressure. But according to his father, J.D. has proven himself a worthy leader.

"J.D. has been at JGR since the first day the race team started," said Joe from his office at Redskins Park. "He and the management team we have in place have been there for 16 years, and they know every single thing about the way our race team was built. I honestly don't think you could have a better organization, and whatever comes J.D.'s way - good or bad - he's primed to handle it."

"But as is always the case in sports, you're only as good as your last race; only as good as your last game. So our goal will always be to consistently compete for championships and wins."

J.D. makes his home in Davidson, N.C., with his wife Melissa and their four boys -- Jackson, Miller, Jason Dean and Zachary Taylor. -- Source: Joe Gibbs Racing

Back to Notable Alumni