Postby SRASC » March 25th, 2015, 12:52 pm
Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs is undergoing treatment for symptoms impacting brain function, possibly from past head injuries, the team announced Wednesday.
In a release, JGR said the symptoms include speech and processing issues. The eldest son of team owner Joe Gibbs will continue most of his day-to-day functions at the team’s shop in Huntersville, N.C., but his presence at the track will be limited. The team said Gibbs’ doctors believe the complications “were triggered by head injuries likely suffered earlier in life, but no specific injury was referenced or identified.”
Gibbs, who turned 46 last month, has served as president of the team since October 1997 and took a greater role in the day-to-day operations in 2004 when his father returned to the NFL for a second stint of coaching the Washington Redskins.
Gibbs has served in various roles for JGR, including as a tire changer on Dale Jarrett’s winning car in the 1993 Daytona 500, and dabbled with a driving career. He made five starts in the Xfinity Series from 1998-99 with a best finish of 20th at South Boston Speedway. He started eight races in the Camping World Truck Series, crashing out of four, and he made 16 K&N Series starts in 1999, finishing 19th in the points standings.
Gibbs also played football for William and Mary from 1987-90 as a quarterback and defensive back. The team release said Gibbs “has always enjoyed an active life participating in several sports including mountain biking, snowboarding, football, racing, and other extreme-type sports.”
In a statement, NASCAR chairman Brian France said, “All members of the NASCAR and France family extend our thoughts and prayers to J.D. Gibbs and his loved ones. We’ve all watched J.D. grow up within our community, and he always has represented himself, his family, the entire Joe Gibbs Racing organization and NASCAR with the utmost professionalism, enthusiasm and energy. We wish him the best during this time and eagerly anticipate his recovery.”
