Joe Gibbs Racing Team III

Owners - Joe Gibbs, Josh Harris, David Blitzer

Founded - 1992

First Race - 2003 Daytona

Wins - 64

Championships - 0

Numbers Used - 11, 80

Primary Numbers

(Numbers used the most during the year, associated with primary sponsor)

2003

Advair

2004

ConAgra Foods/Slim Jim

2004

Vigoro/The Home Depot

2005 - 2016

FedEx Express

2017 - 2018

FedEx

2019 - 2021

FedEx

2022 - 2024

FedEx

2025 - Present

Progressive Insurance

Team Information

Drivers

  • Mike Bliss (2003 - 2004)

  • J.J. Yeley (2004)

  • Jason Leffler (2005)

  • Terry Labonte (2005)

  • J.J. Yeley (2005)

  • Denny Hamlin (2005 - Present)

Crew Chiefs

  • Jimmy Makar (2003)

  • Steve Addington (2004)

  • Dave Rogers (2005)

  • Mike Ford (2005 - 2011)

  • Darian Grubb (2012 - 2014)

  • Dave Rogers (2015)

  • Mike Wheeler (2016 - 2018)

  • Chris Gabehart (2019 - 2024)

  • Chris Gayle (2025 - Present)

manufacturerS & Cars

  • Chevrolet Monte Carlo (2003 - 2005)

  • Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (2006 - 2007)

  • Chevrolet Impala (2007)

  • Toyota Camry (2008 - Present)

Car Number History

Why the #80?

The team likely used it to go with number that went with both 18 and 20 as it was a R&D team.

Why the #11?

The number 11 was chosen because that was car owner J.D. Gibbs number when he played as a quarterback for the College of William & Mary in Virginia. The number had recently been available when Brett Bodine Racing suspended operations in early 2004. When Federal Express signed on to become a sponsor, starting in 2005, there was only one number the team wanted to use. Especially since this team was owned by J.D. Gibbs in name. In a twist, 11 was used by driver Denny Hamlin when he was teenager since he was a Bill Elliott fan growing up. The number choice influenced the name of the team driver Denny Hamlin would use for his team with Michael Jordan, 23XI (twenty three-eleven) in 2021.