NASCAR: JGR close to re-signing Kyle Busch (Update)

Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, provided an update on Monday regarding the team’s sponsorship and contract conversations. “We’re really confident that we’re going to have that (No. 18) car squared away, sponsorship-wise, and we’re trying to work on our deal right now with Kyle,” Gibbs said.

“So I think we feel good about it.” Gibbs previously told FOX Sports at the time of Busch’s comments that JGR was “confident we’re going to get things done. So we’re just working hard at it. It takes a while.”

Given Gibbs’ latest comments, Toyota’s desire to keep Busch in their family and a report last week from the Sports Business Journal that indicated JGR is in advanced discussions with a major technology company for a deal for the No. 18 car, it appears that JGR has a clear desire to keep Busch in its lineup.

Toyota Racing Development boss David Wilson is concerned that Joe Gibbs Racing will not be able to come to terms with Kyle Busch on a new contract.

“One driver has accounted for 36 percent of our total wins across all three series, and you know who that driver is,” TRD president David Wilson said Tuesday. “Any scenario that doesn’t have Kyle Busch retiring from Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota would be a monstrous disappointment for us and Coach Gibbs and the family.”

When in doubt, follow the money

Wilson said the biggest problem is money caused by the decision from long-time Gibbs/Busch partner M&Ms/Mars to leave NASCAR at the end of the year.

“It caught us all by surprise,” Wilson said. “The reality is Joe Gibbs can’t afford to pay Kyle Busch. That comes from corporate sponsorship. Every driver’s salary comes from whatever is on that race car on Sunday. We remain optimistic. We’re working on a number of different solutions harder than we ever have before.”