J.D. Gibbs, eldest son of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, was remembered as the visionary behind the stellar career of several NASCAR stars following his death from complications a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease. He was 49.
Joe Gibbs Racing announced Gibbs' death Saturday. He died Friday.
Gibbs was co-founder of the NASCAR team that bears his fathers' name and he largely ran the day-to-day operations of what is now an elite organization. He stepped away from JGR in 2015 when it was announced he was suffering from "conditions related to brain function." He was president of JGR at the time and is credited with launching the career of Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and spearheading the team's pivotal move to Toyota.
Jason Dean Gibbs was also a staunch supporter of Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch, who won championships for the organization despite numerous skirmishes on and off the track. Stewart, a two-time champion driving for Gibbs, posted a photo from his 2002 title celebration in New York City alongside Gibbs and then-crew chief Greg Zipadelli.
"Heartbroken for the entire Gibbs family," Stewart wrote on social media. "J.D. was a great person — a family man who loved sports & racing in particular. He played a big part in my career, both as a driver & as a team owner. When he asked how you were doing, he genuinely cared. I'll miss that the most."