Joe Gibbs Racing enters this year’s Daytona 500 determined to expand its winning legacy at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. The storied team, which has celebrated numerous triumphs in NASCAR’s premier event, looks to build on its rich history as its drivers target another landmark victory in the Great American Race.
A Storied Daytona Legacy for Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) first made its mark at the Daytona 500 in 1993, with Dale Jarrett piloting the No. 18 car to victory. Since then, the organization has claimed the coveted Harley J. Earl trophy multiple times, most notably with Denny Hamlin capturing three wins (2016, 2019, 2020). Across all Cup Series races at the track, JGR boasts eight wins, 41 top-five finishes, and five pole awards.
Notable names like Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Dale Jarrett, Erik Jones, and Tony Stewart have all driven Joe Gibbs Racing cars to victory at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. In total, the organization’s 187 appearances at Daytona have produced a remarkable tally of 57 top-10s and over 2,100 laps led—all milestones marking JGR as one of NASCAR’s elite teams at the World Center of Racing.
2025 Season Highlights Fuel Optimism
After a robust 2025 campaign, optimism is soaring within the organization. Joe Gibbs Racing finished last season with three drivers—Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell—in the top five of the final standings. The team racked up 13 wins, 47 top-five finishes, and 13 pole awards, demonstrating both depth and consistency across its lineup. Christopher Bell added a non-points All-Star Race victory, while Ty Gibbs took top honors in the inaugural In-Season Tournament, showcasing the entire roster’s capability to compete—and win—on NASCAR’s biggest stages.
Denny Hamlin: Chasing Daytona History
Denny Hamlin, set for his 21st Daytona 500 start in the No. 11 National Debt Relief Toyota Camry XSE, remains a cornerstone of JGR’s Daytona success. Hamlin enters 2026 with three wins in the event, including his breakthrough in 2016 where he surged from fifth to first in a historic .010-second margin—still the closest finish in race history. The Virginia native once again led a team sweep with a 1-2-3 result in 2019, before capturing a third win in 2020. Despite a late crash dashing his hopes last year, Hamlin remains a fixture at the front of the field.
In 2025, Hamlin achieved a season-best six wins, including milestones at Martinsville, Darlington, Michigan, Dover, World Wide Technology Raceway, and Las Vegas—where he celebrated his 60th career victory, joining an elite club of NASCAR winners. Working with crew chief Chris Gayle, Hamlin also compiled 14 top-five results, 18 top-10s, and over a thousand laps led, finishing runner-up in the championship standings. The partnership with Gayle sparked a breakout year, and expectations are high as they return to Daytona in search of another chapter in their storied tenure together.
This year, Hamlin could reach rarified air: a fourth Daytona 500 victory would tie him with Cale Yarborough for second all-time, behind only Richard Petty’s record seven wins. Hamlin currently shares three-win status with Hall of Famers Bobby Allison, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Jarrett.
Beyond the big show, Hamlin’s Daytona achievements include three Duel qualifying race wins and three Clash victories during Speedweeks, cementing his status as one of the track’s most accomplished drivers.
Sponsor and Crew Chief Support for the No. 11
For this Daytona 500, the No. 11 car features primary sponsorship from National Debt Relief, which has played a major role in supporting Hamlin’s campaign. Crew chief Chris Gayle, entering his eighth full season, has guided his teams to consistent success, with eight Cup wins and nearly a hundred top-10s in 250 top-level starts. Gayle’s impact extended through previous dominant runs in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, making him a critical component in JGR’s push for victory.
Chase Briscoe Aims for a Breakthrough
Chase Briscoe takes the wheel of the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE with rising momentum. At last year’s Daytona 500, Briscoe earned the pole and finished a strong fourth—his best showing yet at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. With ten Cup starts at Daytona to his name, he has already achieved two top-five and three top-10 finishes, leading 84 laps along the way.
The 2025 season marked a career year for Briscoe, as he picked up three wins—including a dramatic repeat in the Southern 500 at Darlington—and reached new highs in top-five and top-10 finishes. He wrapped up the year third in the overall standings and led all drivers with seven pole awards. Briscoe will connect with fans for an autograph session at the Daytona Beach Bass Pro Shops on February 13, welcoming supporters as excitement builds ahead of the race.
James Small resumes leadership as crew chief for the No. 19 team, his seventh season guiding the car and his second partnering with Briscoe. Small’s guidance previously led Martin Truex Jr. to numerous victories and top finishes, further fortifying the No. 19 team’s credentials heading into the season opener.
Bass Pro Shops continues its enduring partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing, with a focus on conservation, outdoor recreation, and community outreach, and was named by Newsweek as
“America’s Most Trusted Retailer for Outdoor Gear”
—Newsweek.
Christopher Bell Eyes Daytona Redemption
Christopher Bell lines up in the No. 20 DEWALT / Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry XSE at Daytona with unfinished business. Bell’s record at the superspeedway includes three third-place finishes over the last six races, although a late-race incident last year ended his chances while contending for the win. In NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races at Daytona, Bell has finished in the top five twice and in the top 10 four times, showing consistent speed on high banks.
Bell’s first career Cup victory also came at Daytona, though on the track’s road course in 2021, where he swooped past Joey Logano late to secure his breakthrough win. In 2025, Bell maintained his performance streak with his fourth consecutive top-five points finish, kicking off last season with three early wins and later claiming the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro as well as a playoff victory at Bristol. Altogether, Bell notched 13 top-five and 22 top-10 results, cementing his spot as one of NASCAR’s most reliable frontrunners.
Crew chief Adam Stevens, now in his 12th Cup campaign, provides championship experience and steady leadership for Bell’s efforts. Stevens’ resume includes two Cup titles, 41 wins, and more than 150 top-five results in 384 starts. The duo of Bell and Stevens has placed inside the top five in the standings for four consecutive years—a testament to their competitive synergy.
This year, DEWALT brings added support, with Borrell Electric Company featured on the hood of Bell’s car. Interstate Batteries, celebrating its 35th consecutive season as a JGR partner, will also appear prominently on the No. 20 Toyota across several marquee events.
Ty Gibbs Continues to Develop His Daytona Craft
Ty Gibbs, the youngest driver in the JGR stable, looks to turn his growing Daytona experience into a breakthrough result. In his three prior Daytona 500 starts, Gibbs’ best finish was 16th last season, while he notched a top-five in the fall event of 2023. His O’Reilly Series debut at Daytona Road Course in 2021 resulted in a superb first win, charging from fifth to first on an overtime restart—an early signal of his talent.
Gibbs’ 2025 season saw five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, with 304 laps led—a campaign further highlighted by his victory in the inaugural In-Season Tournament. He also logged a memorable run at Bristol, leading a career-high 201 laps. Crew chief Tyler Allen, in his second full year calling the shots for Gibbs, guided both the No. 54 Cup team and the No. 20 O’Reilly Series entry to multiple wins and sustained high performance last season. With Allen’s support and Monster Energy backing the No. 54 Camry, Gibbs aims to take another leap forward at this year’s Daytona 500.
Supporting Partnerships Power the JGR Effort
Foundational partnerships remain vital to JGR’s success. Interstate Batteries, having maintained its alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing for more than three decades, will sponsor both the No. 20 and additional entries at key races throughout the season. Bass Pro Shops, celebrated for its dedication to outdoor recreation and led by Johnny Morris, continues to rally support for Chase Briscoe and the broader JGR cause. National Debt Relief steps up for Denny Hamlin, showcasing the importance of sponsor investment in fueling the team’s championship ambitions.
What Awaits at the Great American Race
With a lineup featuring proven race winners, seasoned crew chiefs, and legendary partners, Joe Gibbs Racing heads into the Daytona 500 poised for more glory. The drivers—Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs—carry momentum from strong showings last year and seek to add to JGR’s rich legacy at NASCAR’s marquee event. As the green flag waves at Daytona International Speedway, all eyes will be on Joe Gibbs Racing to see if the powerhouse organization can again leave its mark on the sport’s most historic stage.
