J.D. Gibbs, the oldest son of car owner Joe Gibbs, died on Friday from complications following a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease, the team announced. J.D. Gibbs was 49.
The family revealed in March 2015 that J.D. Gibbs was suffering from brain-function problems but that doctors had no clear answer for it.
J.D. Gibbs was the president of Joe Gibbs Racing at the time, having done a variety of roles, including working on a pit crew with the organization.
“J.D. gains his strength from the fact that he has a personal relationship with the Lord, and I have got to tell you that he’s my hero when I kind of watch him,” Joe Gibbs said in 2015 at Martinsville Speedway. “I don’t know that anybody has ever deal with anything as courageous as J.D. does. He went through a situation with his son Taylor having leukemia at 2, and we fought through that for about three or four years … J.D. through his entire life has probably been the most courageous person that I’ve ever been around or knew.”
J.D. Gibbs was instrumental in helping Denny Hamlin join the organization when Hamlin was racing Late Models. Hamlin’s Xfinity car in last year’s race at Darlington Raceway honored Gibbs. Hamlin’s car was made to look like the car Gibbs drove in four Xfinity races in 1998.
Hamlin has displayed Gibbs name on the side of his car since the 2017 Daytona 500.
After winning the 2016 Daytona 500, Hamlin spoke of J.D. Gibbs: “He’s the guy that took a chance on me. This is the biggest win of my life. He’s not at every race. But to have him here with me today, that’s just how it was supposed to be, wasn’t it?”
In the tweet below from last year, Hamlin explained what J.D. Gibbs meant to him.
.@dennyhamlin's @SportClips #XFINITY Series #throwback is a tribute to JD Gibbs, who helped give Denny his start.
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) August 8, 2018
“This one’s for you JD!”@TooToughToTame @NASCAR #ThrowbackWeekend pic.twitter.com/DGbh7YoNI0
J.D. Gibbs was there at Joe Gibbs Racing from the beginning. He was named the organization’s president in 1997 and led the company from 2004-08 when Joe Gibbs returned to coaching in the NFL. Along with Hamlin, the company added Kyle Busch during J.D. Gibbs’ tenure.
Born Jason Dean Gibbs on February 21, 1969, J.D. as he became known, always had an outgoing personality and beaming smile. From 1987-’90, Gibbs played defensive back and quarterback at The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
The father of four boys with his wife Melissa – Jackson, Miller, Jason, and Taylor – Taylor was diagnosed with childhood leukemia in 2007 at age 2. At age 5 in 2010, Taylor underwent his final chemotherapy treatment.
Jim France interim NASCAR Chairman and CEO, issued a statement on Gibbs:
“We were privileged to watch J.D. Gibbs grow within the sport, displaying an endearing personality, a keen eye for talent and the strong business acumen that helped grow Joe Gibbs Racing into a preeminent NASCAR team. The NASCAR family has lost a truly special member. On behalf of NASCAR and the France family, I extend my deepest condolences to Joe Gibbs, Pat, Melissa, Coy and the entire Gibbs family.”
His car. His number. His signature above my door. I will always be grateful for what His family did for mine and the opportunity he gave me 14 years ago. Now more than ever #doitforJD
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) January 12, 2019
I’m so sad. This is awful news.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) January 12, 2019
Hugging @PaigeKeselowski one more extra time tonight before bed and thinking about the Gibbs family. 😞 https://t.co/TkCRufIasS
Prayers go out to the Gibbs family. We are all here praying for you and your family. The power of @JoeGibbsRacing and the whole racing family are here for you. #staystrong
— Jeffrey Earnhardt (@JEarnhardt1) January 12, 2019
J.D. was an amazing person... My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Gibbs family. #rip #SoSad https://t.co/pblmN60RA0
— Kasey Kahne (@kaseykahne) January 12, 2019
J.D was such a great person. In my few interactions with him, I always had the immediate sense that he cared. I’ve found myself thinking about him often over the last year. RIP https://t.co/HXGyxKiwdc
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) January 12, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers go out to @JoeGibbsRacing and the entire Gibbs family at this time.
— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LegacyMotorclub) January 12, 2019
Kelly Crandall and Daniel McFadin contributed to this report.