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Venturini: The Coach is Back!
Written by: Wendy Venturini   
02/14/2008 - 09:48 AM
Daytona, Florida
 
Team Owner Joe Gibbs talks with the media during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 9, 2008 in Daytona, Florida. (Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images) ยป More Photos

Joe Gibbs returns to the racetrack full time here in NASCAR. Between all these drivers here and the new driver with Kyle Busch on board, they hope to bring home the cup in ’08.

Venturini: Well, I know a lot of football fans and all of us at nascar were sad to see you retire from the NFL, but I have to tell you, the team says they’re happy to have you back and they say you run the shop.
Gibbs: Me and the grandchildren run through here quite a bit during the day. I normally have a couple of little ones with me. But it will be fun to get back and get back in the relationship with everybody here. We feel fortunate to be a part of it. We love it and want to continue to do it. Hopefully the lord let’s us do this forever.

Venturini: Everybody is saying that toyota and specifically Joe Gibbs racing are the cars to beat when we get to Daytona.
Gibbs: I don’t know why they would say that. I think we’re early in the process. I’m always hesitant on that. I’ve been down to Daytona and normally what’s happens happened to us at Daytona is either we’re real, real good or real, real bad. I think we felt good about the test, but I wouldn’t rate us as odds on favor.

Venturini: What would make this a successful season at Joe Gibbs Racing?
Gibbs: For us, to be truthful, we set our goals on winning championships. For our sponsors and
our drivers, I think anything less than that, you’re disappointed. That doesn’t mean that you feel like you’re going to get it or you’re -- I think up here you’re always humbled because you know that the knuckle sandwich is coming right around the corner in nascar. But our goals would be that and really, with all three of our cars, you know, M&M's coming on board to be fantastic to win races for them and have a chance to win the championship. All of them are first class top a championship. Flight and we would love to win so that is our goal and I think anything less than that, I think our guys would probably say, hey, we would consider that is our goal for the year.

Venturini: I think that’s a pretty good goal for Joe Gibbs Racing. Looking at their driver lineup and their switch to toyota, I think they can do it. Look at the line up between HMS and JGR. They’re banking on Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs, but who will be the tougher team this season? Do you think Joe Gibbs can finally bring home that crown this year?
Spencer: I think hendrick will be the odds on favor. But I look at carolina basketball right now. They’re missing one guy, kyle lawson. They one some, they squeak by. I think with joe gibbs on board, hendrick, look out.

Venturini: So they can be beat?
Spencer: I think hendrick can be beaten. With joe gibbs there, johnny, that will be instrumental in the leadership role.

Tune in each week to catch Wendy Venturini’s THE REAL DEAL on NASCAR Raceday, built by The Home Depot.

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