Joe Gibbs Racing, founded in 1992 by NFL Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, began its NASCAR journey with a commitment to excellence. Initially fielding a single car, the team quickly expanded over the years, as they became synonymous with success, attracting top-tier drivers like Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin. The team’s transition to Toyota in 2008 marked a new era, winning the 2015 championship with Kyle Busch, solidifying JGR’s status as a powerhouse in NASCAR. Yet, its past isn’t all clean.

In 2005, Furniture Row Racing emerged as a modest operation based in Denver, Colorado. In 2018, plans were initially set for Christopher Bell to take over Erik Jones’ seat in the No. 77 car, as Jones would move from FRR to Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 20, replacing Matt Kenseth. However, a pivotal crash between Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. at Indianapolis in August 2017 dramatically altered the landscape, straining the relationship between JGR and FRR owner Barney Visser.

As a result, FRR decided to shut down its second team after just one season. Meanwhile, Bell drove in the No. 20 Xfinity car before eventually making his full-time Cup debut in 2020 with Leavine Family Racing, ironically using many of the same parts originally supplied during FRR’s alliance with JGR. According to the alliance terms, once FRR or any team was done with any JGR-labeled parts, they were to be returned, though many still usable components were later sold to LFR when they switched to Toyota in 2019.

Beyond the crash, FRR had explored a potential move to Chevrolet with support from Hendrick Motorsports, a plan backed by driver Martin Truex Jr. and crew chief Cole Pearn. Toyota’s refusal to release Truex, however, kept FRR firmly under the Toyota banner, limiting their options. Some insiders believe the Indianapolis crash incident marked the start of FRR’s decline, with Joe Gibbs reportedly frustrated at being outperformed by his own equipment and gradually increasing costs for FRR.

This tension, combined with financial pressure, ultimately forced the Denver-based team to close its doors at the end of 2018, highlighting the complex dynamics and high stakes involved in NASCAR team alliances. After FRR’s closure, driver Erik Jones transitioned to LFR. However, the latter also faced its own challenges.

Despite initial plans to continue operations, the team struggled to secure sponsorships and faced financial hardships, leading to its closure at the end of the 2020 season. The team’s assets were sold to Spire Motorsports, marking the end of another chapter in NASCAR’s evolving landscape.

This closure of both teams, coupled with the perceived role of JGR in these events, has led to disillusionment among NASCAR fans. They call for transparency and reforms to prevent similar situations in the future, aiming to restore trust and fairness to the sport.

Disbelief and discontent as NASCAR team secrets surface

One fan wrote, “There is a reason Jimmie Johnson turned down the tech alliance it’s better to take another year or two building the team than to grovel at grandpa joes feat every time he throws a fit.” Jimmie Johnson’s decision to decline a technical alliance with JGR was rooted in his vision for Legacy Motor Club’s independence and long-term success. Rather than relying on established powerhouses, Johnson aimed to build a self-sufficient team capable of competing at the highest level.

Another fan reminisced, “It’s actually cursed, the Secondary JGR alliance always finds the death door one way or another (Let’s hope 23XI doesn’t actually meet the same fate). I wonder if your Toyota just how pi–ed you are, every time you try to expand your roster they just get killed one way or another and I also wonder what they think of Legacy.” 

In 2024, Legacy Motor Club switched from Chevrolet to Toyota, aiming to enhance performance. However, the team faced difficulties, including a significant crash with Erik Jones, highlighting the complexities Toyota encounters in expanding its NASCAR presence.

Some others shared the same sentiment, adding, “Got FRR shutdown and blocking Heim from a Gibbs ride. They can’t let go of grudges.” Corey Heim’s exclusion from the JGR ride is widely attributed to a longstanding rivalry with Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs’ grandson. Despite Heim’s impressive performance in the Truck Series, including multiple wins and top finishes, JGR has consistently overlooked him for promotion, favoring other Toyota drivers like Taylor Gray.

Another one asserted, “I swear I remember hearing or reading that Suarez was the long term plan for the 77. Like if furniture row could’ve made 2 teams work it would’ve been Truex and Suarez. Gibbs never really wanted Suarez and it was clear.” While Daniel Suárez had a successful tenure in the Xfinity Series with JGR, his time in the Cup Series was marked by challenges.

Notably, in 2018, Suárez faced sponsorship issues, including the termination of Subway’s sponsorship, which was linked to a promotional event where he distributed Dunkin’ Donuts to fans. These factors contributed to JGR’s decision to replace Suárez with Martin Truex Jr. for the 2019 season.

While some believed, “I still think it’s highly sus that the 19 team randomly put the tires on the wrong sides at Homestead in 2019(?) when Truex had a strong chance of beating Kyle for the championship. This just cements in my mind that it was deliberate.” 

A tire mix-up during Truex Jr.’s pit stop at the 2019 Homestead-Miami Championship 4 race was a pivotal moment that significantly impacted his title bid. As Truex exited pit road leading the race, he immediately felt the car’s imbalance and radioed his crew chief, who quickly identified the error. This misstep forced Truex to pit again under green-flag conditions, dropping him to 13th place, one lap down.

For fans, trust in JGR‘s secondary alliances has been shaken, fueling skepticism about the team’s future move.