TONY GIBSON - 11/03/1964
Gibson was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. He, along with his father, built and maintained cars with his brother Mark as the driver. The Gibson family found success at short tracks around central Florida and even won a 1978 track championship at New Smyrna Speedway. While attending Daytona Beach Community College, Gibson continued to race with his family, but after graduating with a Tool and Die making degree, he moved to North Carolina to pursue a NASCAR career. Gibson started in the 1980's hanging car bodies for various NASCAR Xfinity Series and Sprint Cup Series teams. While working as a body hanger he was befriended by Alan Kulwicki, a driver and owner in the Cup Series, who was working in a nearby shop space. This led to Gibson becoming a mechanic on
Kulwicki’s team in 1986. Gibson worked as car chief on Alan Kulwicki’s title team in 1992. Gibson got his first shot at being a crew chief in 1994. He worked for owner Charles Hardy (from my home town of Gainesville GA) as Hardy fielded a car for Jimmy Hensley. Bobby Hillin and Kenny Wallace for a total of six events. Wallace posted a ninth place finish. He led Bill Elliott for 20 races in 1995 where he posted three Top 5 finishes. Hendrick Motorsports hired Gibson to head the #24 car with driver Jeff Gordon. Serving as car chief for Gordon the combination recorded 29 victories, winning a Cup title in 1998 and in 2001. Gibson moved to Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2002 where he worked various roles. As a crew chief he worked with Steve Park in 2003 and later with Michael Waltrip in 2005. He moved to the car chief position for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in 2006 and later worked as his crew chief for 11 races in 2007. Gibson moved over to Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s #8 Chevrolet, in 2008, driven part time by Mark Martin and rookie Aric Almirola. In 2009, a new race team, Stewart-Haas Racing, created by Tony Stewart hired Gibson to lead the #39 of Ryan Newman. A decision to pit for just 2 tires led to his first victory with Newman in 2010 in the Subway Fresh Fit 600 at Phoenix AZ. Gibson and Newman teamed to two win one race again in 2011 and 2012. In 2013 Danica Patrick moved up to the Cup series also racing for the Stewart-Haas stable. Gibson moved over to help the young rookie driver. Success came immediately as Patrick became the first woman ever to win a pole position, and it came at the very first race of the year at Daytona. Patrick ran a great race, and was running in the top five when the white flag flew. She ended up eighth; her best finish of her rookie season. For 2014 Gibson and Patrick teamed up again but with three races to go in the season the owners decided to swap the crew chiefs of Patrick and Kurt Busch; so Gibson was sent to Busch and Daniel Knost came to lead Patrick. Knost remained with Patrick for 2015; while Gibson led Kurt Busch to two wins and 10 Top 5 finishes. Kurt Busch went win-less in 2016; but in 2017 Gibson had the day of his life as Busch pulled off the win in the 2017 Daytona 500; Gibson's home town. In 2018 Gibson made a career move within the Stewart-Haas organization. Gibson stated he "had been trying to come off the road for several years. Traveling 4 days a week for 31 years can take a toll on you. For 2018, Stewart-Haas Racing gave me the opportunity to come off the road and still have a very hands-on job within the organization. Working closely with all four crew chiefs and NASCAR". Billy Scott was the replacement for Gibson and driver Kurt Busch in the #41 car.
All Photos copyright and are property of their respective owners