Joe Gibbs Racing Switches to Toyota

Tony Stewart (left) with Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs

Joe Gibbs Racing, a leading team in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series, announced Wednesday that it would swap Chevrolet race cars to Toyotas beginning in 2008.

Gibb�s move gives rise to Toyota�s competitiveness from being just a struggling newcomer in stock-car racing's premier class. The Japan-based automaker expands from three teams to five teams next year. Gibbs team, which is owned by NFL Coach Joe Gibbs, include as driver two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart.

"We want to be the team to beat," said J.D. Gibbs, Gibbs' son and team president. "They (Toyota) want to be the manufacturer to beat."

In switching car manufacturers, Gibbs ends its 16-year relationship with General Motors. The change was a blow for General Motors, which provided Gibbs Chevrolets and Pontiacs since the team was formed in 1992. Gibbs has been racing Chevys since 2003.

"While we understand the business nature of racing, we are disappointed in J.D.'s decision," according to a statement by General Motors Vice President Brent Dewar. "We hoped they would remain with Chevrolet."

But Stewart, who will be driving a Toyota Camry next year, is ecstatic over the recent changes.

�I�m excited about this,� Stewart said. �I feel like the only way you constantly stay ahead of the game is by putting yourselves in position to be leaders and not followers. That�s why I signed up with Joe Gibbs Racing in the first place and why I�m going to extend my contract.�

There has been an ongoing negotiation on the extension of Stewart�s contract with Gibbs beyond 2009.