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Seeking leadership role behind Gibbs' move

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Steve Byrnes

NASCAR on FOX and SPEED host and reporter Steve Byrnes is a broadcast veteran who has covered racing for more than 20 years.

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Updated Sep 9, 2007 4:28 AM ET
     
 
After 58 race wins and three Nextel Cup championships with General Motors, Joe Gibbs Racing will switch to Toyota at the conclusion of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. Rumored for many weeks, the story became official as the big announcement was made at the team's headquarters in Huntersville, N.C. on Wednesday morning. At the end of the day, Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs said that his organization had to do what was best for its 430 employees and their families. But the key thing that I heard him say twice was JGR wants to take a leadership role with a manufacturer. JGR has been with GM for 16 years, and Brent Dewar, General Motors North America Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Parts, released a statement about their relationship. "With our long-standing relationship and record of winning with them, we hoped they would remain with Chevrolet," Dewar said. "We will continue to support our JGR drivers in this year's Chase for the Championship." That's important for Joe Gibbs Racing because the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series teams will visit the Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, where the 12 drivers that will make up the Chase for the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup championship will be determined. JGR has two drivers already locked in: Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin.

NASCAR on FOX and SPEED host and reporter Steve Byrnes has covered racing for more than 20 years.

Tagged: Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin

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