Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota Racing have been known to produce NASCAR Cup Series drivers at a high level. Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs are a part of this list with Erik Jones and Noah Gragson being notable Cup Series drivers that left the manufacturer.
Meanwhile, there is still some great talent in the lower NASCAR ranks for Toyota Racing. Sammy Smith, John Hunter Nemechek, Corey Heim, Taylor Gray, and William Sawalich all represent the possible future of Toyota in the Cup Series.
The future for Joe Gibbs Racing is bright as there will be plenty of options at their disposal; however, the team certainly regrets letting a deal break down with this current NASCAR star a few years ago.
Related: Joe Gibbs Racing provides big update on Martin Truex Jr.’s future beyond 2023
Joe Gibbs Racing was ‘close’ to a deal with a current NASCAR star a few years ago
Joe Gibbs Racing has a bright future as Bell and Gibbs represent a great foundation in the NASCAR Cup Series. This also comes as Smith, NASCAR’s top prospect, will likely end up with the organization’s Cup Series program in the next few years.
There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the team’s long-term plans in NASCAR. In fact, the present has been going just as well for Joe Gibbs Racing as the team has won three races since Easter with Bell at Bristol Dirt, Hamlin at Kansas Speedway, and Martin Truex Jr. at Dover Motor Speedway.
It is clear that Joe Gibbs Racing has become the top team in the Cup Series after Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet had a dominant start. Speaking of Hendrick Motorsports, this is where the story comes together.
In a recent interview with The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck for his weekly “12 Questions” post, current Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron revealed that he was close to signing with Joe Gibbs Racing while climbing the ranks of NASCAR.
“When I was moving up from Trucks to Xfinity, I was working with (Joe Gibbs Racing) on a deal. It came close, and based on where I had come up through the ranks with Toyota in the Trucks, it was kind of the next step and it made perfect sense. But there was a lot of uncertainty about part-time or full-time.
And when (Rick Hendrick) came with an opportunity with the team I dreamed of racing for, it made a lot more sense. But at the time, it was frustrating because it was like, “Man, OK, I’m doing well in the Trucks. What’s next?” And you’re working through that step. So I would say that was the opportunity you think about.”
William Byron on almost signing with Joe Gibbs Racing over Hendrick Motorsports
It is mind-blowing to think that Joe Gibbs Racing could have Byron, Bell, and Gibbs in their driver lineup right now. That doesn’t even include Smith who could have rounded out one of the best young lineups in NASCAR history.
Everything happens for a reason but the organization should be kicking itself for this one. Byron has shown tremendous speed over the last two years after taking a while to adapt to the Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports.
The driver of the No. 24 car drove for Kyle Busch Motorsports, which was a Toyota-backed team at the time, so Joe Gibbs Racing likely had the upper hand. Would Byron have gone to Joe Gibbs Racing over Hendrick Motorsports if it was for sure full-time? We will likely never know.
In the meantime, whether you are watching it live or looking for how to watch NASCAR on TV or another streaming platform, Sportsnaut has you covered for the upcoming weekend at Darlington Raceway!
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