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Gibbs: Logano is a 'candidate for anything' with the team

By Jeff Gluck - Associate Editor

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Article Rating: 5.0
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Joey Logano

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JOLIET, Ill. – Joey Logano is a "candidate for anything" at Joe Gibbs Racing, team owner Joe Gibbs said Saturday afternoon at Chicagoland Speedway.

Gibbs has a soon-to-be-vacant spot in the team's No. 20 car after Tony Stewart announced he would leave JGR to own part of Stewart-Haas Racing, and the 18-year-old Logano is a prime candidate to take over.

"Obviously, he’s a huge part of our future," Gibbs said. "But I think right now, we have to make sure we work through all these things we’re going through right now."

Gibbs suggested that much of the Logano decision could rest on what sponsor The Home Depot prefers. JGR has a sponsor contract with the company that runs through next season.

"It’s still early for us to say exactly what’s going to happen," he said. "We’ve laid out a plan and worked very hard on it but it’s probably premature to say exactly what’s going to happen with us."

Home Depot, Gibbs said, is "going through a process" in regard to decisions about its future.

"That's something they've got to work themselves through," he said. "We'll just be patient."

Gibbs and son J.D. Gibbs said when Stewart first approached them with the idea of being released from his contract one year early, they told him no. But as time went on, both parties realized it was probably for the best.

"He’s looking at other business opportunities, which I understand," J.D. Gibbs said. "For us, while it was discouraging, we understand where he is. I’m kind of excited to see him in a couple years and say, 'How’s this ownership thing working out?' Because it’s a hard deal."

J.D. Gibbs said his family's advice to Stewart was the same they give to anyone who is thinking of owning a team in the sport.

"Don't do it," he said.

But as it became clear that Stewart would do it, J.D. Gibbs said he was proud of the way it was handled. Former drivers Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte also parted ways with the team on good terms, and that was important to Gibbs.

In other JGR-related issues, J.D. Gibbs said Stewart's decision won't affect the creation of a fourth team – it could happen as early as next year or in several years – and added that he was unsure how much Chevrolet played into Stewart's decision to leave the Toyota team.

JGR switched from Chevrolets to Toyotas in the offseason.

"One of the first guys we ever went to before talked about changing to Toyota was Tony Stewart," J.D. Gibbs said. "He said, 'You need to do it.' Where he is now, I don’t know what their role was in getting him back and how detailed that was."

Joe Gibbs said crew chief Greg Zipadelli would stay on with the organization in a long-term role, and said he had already "charted his future" with the team.

Average Rating: 5.0

Comments

10 responses to "Gibbs: Logano is a 'candidate for anything' with the team"
  1. 1
    anonymous said:
    Jul 13, 2008 at 6:22 AM

    KEEP HIM IN THE NATIONWIDE SERIES FOR ONE FULL YEAR. THAT WAY HE WILL GAIN EXPERIENCE AT THAT LEVEL AND EARN RESPECT. PERHAPS HE WILL MATURE A LITTLE FASTER THAN THE OTHERS AT JGR AND NOT BELIEVE HE IS THE NEWEST GIFT TO THE NASCAR WORLD.

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  2. 2
    Rose Sweeney said:
    Jul 13, 2008 at 2:47 PM

    I totally agree with Anonymous. He needs to put a year in the Nationwide series & gain experience along with respect. He may be good but he's not ready to run with the big guys. Make sure you think this through Coach.

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  3. 3
    Rooth Smith said:
    Jul 13, 2008 at 10:00 PM

    Are you kidding? I have had my eye on Joey for more than a year. He is all they say about him. He is ready NOW! Let him race in both series. He's young and eager. Can't wait to see him racing full time. Waited a year for him to turn 18 to see him race in Nationwide. Even set through the 3 hour rain delay. I have a new favorite driver in him even though I love all JGR drivers. Good luck Tony. Rooth a JGR FAN!

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  4. 4
    Scott Baker said:
    Jul 14, 2008 at 9:45 AM

    I totally agree he needs seat time. Just look at Carpentier, Hornish, Franchitti, they all are terrible because have too little experince. Have him learn at Nationwide for a couple years to give him a chance at Cup racing. He hasn't earned anything yet.

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  5. 5
    Rose Sweeney said:
    Jul 14, 2008 at 2:12 PM

    I don't doubt Joey's abilities but if coach Gibbs gives him the #20 ride I can't see Home Depot sponsoring him if Home Depot stays with the 20. I may be wrong though stranger things have happened.

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  6. 6
    Shawn Guy said:
    Jul 14, 2008 at 2:29 PM

    I can't wait to see Joey in the Cup series next year. He's won in every series and everything he's ever sat in. I would like to see him race in all three series and I have a feeling if time permits he will.

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  7. 7
    anonymous said:
    Jul 15, 2008 at 5:43 AM

    Just because a driver has won in every series and everything he's ever sat in is no guarantee he will succeed in the Cup level. It's a whole new ballgame as far as cars, competition, sponsor obligations, travel, etc. He needs to EARN his way into a Cup ride. It's not fair to all those Nationwide series drivers that are just languishing in that series, hoping to get noticed and be offered a "promotion" to the Cup level.

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  8. 8
    Shawn Guy said:
    Jul 15, 2008 at 12:01 PM

    JGR has had enough experience with hiring sucessfull Nationwide series drivers. It wasn't that long ago that a promising driver by the name of Jason Leffler got his shot at the CUP level and he was replaced midseason by Denny Hamlin a driver with little Nationwide and no Cup experience. How did that turn out again?

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  9. 9
    Rooth Smith said:
    Jul 16, 2008 at 7:08 PM

    Just wondering how long you've been watching Joey? Mark Martin says he's ready. Like he doesn't know anything, only been in his corner since he was 12. Saw him beat Happy when he was 16. He is more than ready. In the trucks? Why not. Like that hasn't worked for Kyle. GO JOEY! Can't wait until this Saturday for you to SHINE!

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  10. 10
    Rose Sweeney said:
    Jul 17, 2008 at 12:59 PM

    Have to admit it would be interesting to see Joey race against KB in Cup. Is Joey ready for that? Think not.

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