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How will the sudden retirement of Lee White affect the TRD relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing?
J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR went on SpeedTV to answer questions about its' engine supplier.
Q. The announcement comes at a crucial time in your relationship with TRD, what is your reaction to the news of Lee's retirement?
J.D. Gibbs: I talked to Lee for a good (amount) of time a couple of days ago. He made a wise decision. He's had some family health issues that he just needed to attend to. I said, ‘Hey, you know, Lee, you need to do that. It's a wise call.' I think Lee; really, he's the reason that we are with Toyota. We were with GM for all of those years... everything Lee said that Toyota would do, they did. They did that, and more. So we really appreciate all that he has done for us, and I think will continue to do in the future.
Q. Any concerns about what's transpired over the last few months?
Gibbs: No, I think over time, once we got into the door over the years, they have a great, really strong group of people. Some in Costa Mesa (Calif.); some here near Charlotte, so I think we're in good hands and in good shape as far as going forward in the future.
Q. Has TRD eased your drivers' concerns; in terms of some of these durability issues?
Gibbs: They (TRD) have been real open to what they are going through. (Chief Engine Builder) Mark Cronquist, whose built our engines for years, is out there (Costa Mesa) with them right now, kind of going over the process. We have faith that they are going to be able to make this work. We're not concerned. Obviously, we're concerned during the short term; long-term, I think we'll be in good shape. I think even our drivers realize - and they've been kept in the loop with what's going on; here's what they are working on, here's how they are addressing the issues - so I fee l like we are in good hands.
J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR went on SpeedTV to answer questions about its' engine supplier.
Q. The announcement comes at a crucial time in your relationship with TRD, what is your reaction to the news of Lee's retirement?
J.D. Gibbs: I talked to Lee for a good (amount) of time a couple of days ago. He made a wise decision. He's had some family health issues that he just needed to attend to. I said, ‘Hey, you know, Lee, you need to do that. It's a wise call.' I think Lee; really, he's the reason that we are with Toyota. We were with GM for all of those years... everything Lee said that Toyota would do, they did. They did that, and more. So we really appreciate all that he has done for us, and I think will continue to do in the future.
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| Photo: Joe Gibbs Racing |
Q. Any concerns about what's transpired over the last few months?
Gibbs: No, I think over time, once we got into the door over the years, they have a great, really strong group of people. Some in Costa Mesa (Calif.); some here near Charlotte, so I think we're in good hands and in good shape as far as going forward in the future.
Q. Has TRD eased your drivers' concerns; in terms of some of these durability issues?
Gibbs: They (TRD) have been real open to what they are going through. (Chief Engine Builder) Mark Cronquist, whose built our engines for years, is out there (Costa Mesa) with them right now, kind of going over the process. We have faith that they are going to be able to make this work. We're not concerned. Obviously, we're concerned during the short term; long-term, I think we'll be in good shape. I think even our drivers realize - and they've been kept in the loop with what's going on; here's what they are working on, here's how they are addressing the issues - so I fee l like we are in good hands.