Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) brings a formidable legacy to the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series Daytona race, building on a track record of eight victories at Daytona International Speedway. Over 183 combined starts at this iconic venue, JGR has achieved 41 top-five finishes, 56 top-10 placements, and led more than 2,100 laps, demonstrating consistent competitiveness. Drivers such as Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Dale Jarrett, Erik Jones, and Tony Stewart have all claimed wins behind the wheel of JGR entries at the celebrated World Center of Racing.
Driver Performance Highlights Ahead of Daytona Finale
JGR drivers are performing strongly this season, holding three of the four best average finishing positions among full-time competitors through 25 races. Christopher Bell leads the group with a 12.5 average finish, closely followed by Chase Briscoe at 13.3, and Denny Hamlin at 13.4, all showing promising momentum heading into the final event of the regular season.
Honoring Courage: The Tribute to Christine Edwards
All four JGR cars will feature the name of Christine Edwards above the driver windows, recognizing her battle with lung cancer as part of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s annual Honor A Cancer Hero campaign. Derrell, Christine’s son and jack man for Christopher Bell’s No. 20 team, secured this tribute through a winning bid to honor his mother during this significant weekend at Daytona.
Denny Hamlin’s Daytona Prospects and Recent Form
Denny Hamlin has an impressive history at Daytona, with three NASCAR Cup Series wins, all coming in the prestigious Daytona 500. He currently leads active drivers in top-five finishes at Daytona with 11, alongside 12 top-10s and 682 laps led. Earlier this year, Hamlin was part of a dramatic final-lap battle before a multi-car crash relegated him to 24th place. At Richmond Raceway last weekend, Hamlin finished 10th despite setbacks including a speeding penalty on pit road and collision damage late in the race, maintaining his streak of strong performances with 13 top-10 finishes so far this season.
Entering the regular-season finale, Hamlin sits third in the overall standings with four wins and 24 playoff points. He is narrowly trailing second-place Chase Elliott by five points while holding an 18-point cushion over sixth-place Christopher Bell.
For the Daytona race, Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota will carry the King’s Hawaiian sponsorship, celebrating the brand’s 75th anniversary as a family-owned company rooted in Hilo, Hawaii. Known for its sweet rolls, slider buns, and pretzel bites, King’s Hawaiian aims to bring joy and togetherness through food.
Chase Briscoe’s Consistency Fuels Team’s Optimism
Chase Briscoe has built a strong record at Daytona, earning two top-five finishes and three top-10s in his nine NASCAR Cup Series starts on the superspeedway. Earlier in the season, he claimed the pole position and a fourth-place finish in the Daytona 500. Briscoe has also demonstrated success across other series at Daytona, including top-five results in NASCAR Xfinity Series starts as well as his performances in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck and ARCA Menards Series races at the venue.
At Richmond Raceway, Briscoe finished 13th after being involved in a late multi-car crash that damaged his Bass Pro Shops Toyota. Despite this, he finished the race and maintained steady momentum. This season, Briscoe has recorded career-highs in numerous categories, including 10 top-five finishes (third most in the series), 12 top-10s, and six pole awards—the leading number among competitors. His 10.4 average starting position marks the best in the series, with his 13.3 average finish ranking third.
James Small, Briscoe’s crew chief in his sixth Cup season, brings valuable experience from his prior work with Martin Truex Jr., having helped Truex achieve eight wins and multiple playoff appearances.
Bass Pro Shops, Briscoe’s primary sponsor, is recognized for its commitment to outdoor conservation and family engagement, led by Johnny Morris, and has been honored as America’s Most Trusted Retailer for Outdoor Gear by Newsweek.
Christopher Bell’s Competitive Edge and Season Overview
Christopher Bell has proven to be a persistent contender at Daytona, earning three third-place finishes in the past five Cup Series races at the track and making 11 starts overall on the 2.5-mile superspeedway. His experience extends to the NASCAR Xfinity Series with multiple top-five and top-10 results at Daytona as well.
Through 25 races this year, Bell has achieved three wins, nine top-five finishes, and 14 top-10 placements, supplemented by a NASCAR All-Star Race victory. Currently sixth in the points standings ahead of the finale, Bell remains within striking distance—just 23 points behind the driver in second place.
At Richmond, Bell qualified eighth and moved up early before an extended pit stop and a pass-through penalty for a commitment line violation affected his final result, dropping him to 21st place.
Rheem, Bell’s sponsor, will bring over 250 guests to Daytona, including key executives and customers from various divisions and regions such as the Rheem Operations and Marketing teams, Rheem Middle East, HTPG, HD Supply, Gemaire, Hajoca, and the Water Heater Division’s Southeast / Spirit Group.
Ty Gibbs Gains Experience and Builds Potential at Daytona
Ty Gibbs is gaining valuable experience at Daytona, having started six NASCAR Cup Series races on this superspeedway with a best finish of fifth last August. He has also recorded respectable finishes in the Xfinity and ARCA Menards Series races at Daytona. At Richmond Raceway recently, Gibbs concluded the race 18th after starting 23rd. His initial breakthrough at Daytona came in 2021 with a win in the Xfinity Series debut at the Daytona Road Course, where he led 14 laps.
Tyler Allen, in his first year as Gibbs’ crew chief at the Cup level, carries momentum from a successful 2024 Xfinity Series season, during which he led JGR to eight wins and a near championship. Allen also contributed to the Xfinity victory at Daytona last August for Ryan Truex.
Looking Ahead: Implications of the Daytona Season Finale
The season finale at Daytona International Speedway represents a pivotal moment for Joe Gibbs Racing as they seek to cement their dominance in the NASCAR Cup Series. With one race remaining in the regular season, the stakes are high for Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Briscoe, all of whom are positioned in or near the playoff cut-off. The combination of historical success, current form, and dedicated sponsorship support primes JGR to compete fiercely for victory and key points.
Beyond immediate results, the race will spotlight stories of resilience and tribute, as seen through the Honor A Cancer Hero program honoring Christine Edwards. Team dynamics, such as those coached by seasoned personnel like James Small and emerging leaders like Tyler Allen, will also play essential roles in performance continuity.
As one of NASCAR’s marquee events at the World Center of Racing, the Daytona race often shapes momentum for the playoffs. Joe Gibbs Racing’s blend of veteran experience and young talent prepares them for a defining showdown under the lights, with hopes high that their history of laps led and victories can translate into another win.
