NASCAR: 3 possible car numbers for Joe Gibbs Racing
By Asher Fair
Possible car numbers for Joe Gibbs Racing: Number 3 – #18 Toyota
Before the return of the #54 Toyota in the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, the #18 Toyota was the car that was used as the “star car” for Joe Gibbs Racing from 2016 to 2019.
It was due to the team’s expansion to four cars in 2020 that the #54 Toyota returned and took over that role, while the #18 Toyota took over as one of the three cars driven by a full-time driver.
In 2021, Daniel Hemric piloted the #18 Toyota and won the championship, despite the fact that he did not win a race until the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
But he will not return to the team in 2022, as he is set to replace the Cup Series-bound Justin Haley at Kaulig Racing behind the wheel of the #11 Toyota.
With the team set to downsize to three cars again for the 2022 season, will the #18 Toyota again fulfill the role it held prior to expansion, or will Ty Gibbs effectively replace Hemric instead?
dark. Next. Top 25 NASCAR drivers of all-time
Which number will be used for Joe Gibbs Racing’s “star car” in the 2022 season? Will the #54 Toyota return to that role for a third straight season? Will the #18 Toyota take back that role for the first time since its four-year run from 2016 to 2019, or will the #20 Toyota make a surprise return?
Regardless, it all hinges on the confirmation of Ty Gibbs, which should presumably take one of these three numbers off the table. Which number will then be cut from the team’s lineup?