Gibbs Racing looks to end Daytona 500 drought

DAYTONABEACH, fLA.>> Joe Gibbs has made it perfectly clear to his drivers: Even if they win every exhibition race at Daytona International Speedway, it’s theDaytona 500 thatmattersmost.

Gibbs won the Daytona 500in1993withDaleJarrett, but has failed to get a victory in NASCAR’s biggest race since. When Denny Hamlin won last week’s opening exhibition race, it was a mere consolation prize for Gibbs.

“The 500 is really, really special to him because he hasn’t won it in 23 years,” HamlinsaidTuesday atDaytona 500media day. “That’s abignumberforsuchagood organization.”

The Toyota contingent is typically strong at Daytona, and Matt Kenseth qualified on the front rowfor Sunday’s season opener. JGR was the only multi-car team to get all of its drivers in the top 10 during time trials.

Now, theywant more and they are among the favorites heading into “The Great American Race.”

InhisfirstracewithJGRin 2008, Kyle Busch led 86 laps before fading to fourth in the final laps. Hamlin has three top-five finishes in his last four Daytona 500s, including a second-place showing in 2014 and fourth last year.

There were close calls whenTony Stewartdrove for the organization, and 2013 was a heartbreaker as Matt Kenseth led 86 laps before hisengine failed. Busch’sengine blewupmoments later.

But the Gibbs organization turned a corner last year when all four of its cars dominated through themiddle portion of the season. The fourGibbs driversmade the Chase for the SprintCup championship, and Busch wonhis first career titlewhile givingGibbs its first championship since 2005.

“To be Sprint Cup champion at the end of the season was pretty spectacular and would love nothing more than to continue on our championship celebration all through this week with winning a Daytona 500,” Busch said.