Regardless of early successes, Gibbs is enjoying the lengthy recreation
Joe Gibbs Racing now leads the NASCAR Cup Sequence with three wins from the primary eight races after Martin Truex Jr. returned to victory lane Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.
Gibbs is one in all 4 organizations to have visited victory lane up to now this season. Michael McDowell and Entrance Row Motorsports upset the order on the Daytona 500, and since then it has been the story of Gibbs, Hendrick Motorsports, and Group Penske.
Three of the 4 Hendrick Motorsports automobiles completed within the high 10 at Martinsville, whereas Group Penske positioned two of its drivers within the high 11. Penske driver Ryan Blaney received each phases. Hendrick (William Byron, Kyle Larson) and Penske (Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano) have two wins every this season.
Truex and Christopher Bell are the 2 drivers who’ve received races for Joe Gibbs. Truex is the primary repeat winner of the Cup Sequence season. Hamlin, in the meantime, leads the general level standings.
“I believe it’s all the time arduous to say, and we’re actually solely simply getting began – eight races in or no matter it’s,” mentioned Joe Gibbs about how his crew stacks as much as the competitors. “And I’d say that it form of continually has been going by means of the 12 months (that) anyone will get up fairly good, then anyone else steps up.
“It’s going to be hard-fought all 12 months. I used to be actually completely happy right this moment about brief observe (racing) for us. That was an excellent deal, as a result of I get excited when all 4 of our automobiles run properly. However I believe it’s up within the air as to who you can say is the strongest crew proper now.”
9 of the ten drivers within the high 10 within the level standings come from both Gibbs, Hendrick, or Penske. The outlier is Kevin Harvick for Stewart-Haas Racing.
However what had Gibbs essentially the most excited after Martinsville wasn’t the large image. It was the crew’s efficiency that day. Truex and Hamlin completed first and third and had a hard-fought battle for the lead inside the ultimate 25 laps.
All 4 Gibbs automobiles completed within the high 10 within the Blue-Emu Most Ache Reduction 500. Three of the 4 led laps, with Hamlin spending essentially the most trip entrance: 276 of 500 laps.
“What I’m enthusiastic about is, sure, nice race,” mentioned Gibbs. “I used to be simply praying that Denny and Martin didn’t get collectively up entrance. That was my greatest concern. However anyway, I used to be most thrilled with the truth that all 4 of our automobiles wound up within the high 10. Didn’t go properly for Kyle right this moment, however he fought so arduous. I used to be actually pleased with him getting again to tenth. Christopher was quick all day. Then, in fact, Denny.
“I simply assume Martin’s automotive was higher on lengthy runs than what Denny’s was. Denny fought so arduous. It was an actual good day for us. We love Martinsville. I believe all people at our race crew will get excited each time we come right here.”
