Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR Cup is set to be a dominant force at the upcoming Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, drawing on a storied record of success at the venue. With eight NASCAR Cup Series wins at this renowned track and a combined 183 starts, JGR has demonstrated remarkable consistency and competitiveness. The team has amassed 41 top-five finishes, 56 top-10 finishes, five pole awards, and led for more than 2,150 laps in total. Legendary drivers including Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Dale Jarrett, Erik Jones, and Tony Stewart have all propelled JGR entries to victory lane at Daytona.
Consistent Performance Among Top Drivers This Season
Currently, JGR drivers hold three of the top four average finishing positions among full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers through 25 races this year. Christopher Bell boasts an impressive 12.5 average finishing position, ranking second overall. Chase Briscoe follows closely with a 13.3 average, while Denny Hamlin maintains a solid 13.4, showcasing the team’s depth and skill across multiple competitors this season.
Honoring a Hero: The Impact of Christine Edwards
In a heartfelt tribute, all four Joe Gibbs Racing Cup cars will feature Christine Edwards’ name above the driver’s window as part of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s annual Honor A Cancer Hero program. Christine Edwards, currently fighting lung cancer, has a special connection to the team through her son, Derrell, who serves as the jack man for Christopher Bell’s No. 20 car. Derrell secured the winning bid to honor his mother on each JGR Cup Series entry this weekend at Daytona, adding an emotional layer to the team’s Daytona presence.
Denny Hamlin’s Legacy and Current Season Momentum
Denny Hamlin, driving the No. 11 King’s Hawaiian Toyota Camry XSE, enters the Coke Zero Sugar 400 with a rich legacy at Daytona International Speedway. Hamlin has won the Daytona 500 three times, making him one of the most successful active drivers at the track. He leads active competitors with 11 top-five finishes, 12 top-10s, and has led 682 laps at Daytona throughout his career.
This season, Hamlin remains a top contender, currently sitting third in the NASCAR Cup standings with four wins and 24 playoff points, tied for most top-five finishes with 11. Despite a recent setback at Richmond Raceway, where a speeding penalty and a multi-car accident hampered his race, Hamlin still earned his 13th top-10 finish of the season. Earlier this year at Daytona, he was narrowly involved in a last-lap battle for the lead before being caught in a crash, underscoring his competitive spirit and determination.
King’s Hawaiian celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025, and this milestone is spotlighted through its sponsorship of Hamlin’s car. The family-owned business, founded by Robert Taira in Hilo, Hawaii, remains deeply committed to quality baked goods, including their famous Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, Slider Buns, and Hamburger Buns, along with new Pretzel Bites that combine sweet and salty flavors.
Chase Briscoe’s Rise and Impact with Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE driver Chase Briscoe has shown significant growth and promise during his time with Joe Gibbs Racing. At Daytona International Speedway, Briscoe boasts two top-five finishes and three top-10s across nine NASCAR Cup starts. He kicked off the season by winning the pole and finishing fourth in the Daytona 500, further highlighted by solid performances in NASCAR’s lower divisions at the supremely competitive track.
Last week at Richmond Raceway, despite damage sustained in a multi-car accident, Briscoe fought through the field to finish 13th. Throughout the 2025 season, the Mitchell, Indiana native has reached new personal milestones, securing 10 top-five finishes—third most in the series—and 12 top-10s, along with a series-leading six pole awards. His 10.4 average starting position is the best in the Cup Series this year, and he ranks third for average finish at 13.3.
James Small, Briscoe’s crew chief in his sixth NASCAR Cup Series season, previously guided Martin Truex Jr. to eight wins and multiple playoff appearances, including a runner-up finish in the 2021 championship and the 2023 regular season championship. Small’s experience has been instrumental to Briscoe’s success and the team’s strong performances this season.
Christopher Bell’s Consistent Challenge at Daytona
Driving the No. 20 Rheem Toyota Camry XSE, Christopher Bell has been a consistent frontrunner at Daytona, with three third-place finishes in his last five NASCAR Cup Series starts at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Bell has competed in 11 Cup Series races at Daytona and adds strong credentials from his five NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, where he earned multiple top-five and top-10 results.
Through 25 races in the current season, Bell has secured three wins, nine top-fives, and 14 top-10 finishes, complemented by a victory at the NASCAR All-Star Race in May. In the standings, Bell sits sixth, trailing second place by just 23 points, illustrating his playoff contention as the regular season finale approaches.
Although Bell encountered setbacks at Richmond Raceway, including a pass-through penalty for a commitment line violation that impacted his final placing, he remains a formidable competitor this weekend. Rheem, his primary partner, will host over 250 guests at Daytona this race weekend, including key executives and customers from multiple divisions such as Rheem Middle East and the Water Heater Division Southeast / Spirit Group.
Ty Gibbs’ Emerging Talent and Crew Chief Partnership
Young driver Ty Gibbs will pilot the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE at Daytona, aiming to build on his moderate but promising record at the track. Gibbs’ best finish in six Cup Series starts at Daytona was fifth place last August. He has also made notable appearances in NASCAR’s Xfinity and ARCA Menards Series with strong finishes at this superspeedway.
At Richmond Raceway, Gibbs finished 18th, showing steady progress under the guidance of crew chief Tyler Allen. Allen, in his first year as a Cup Series crew chief, brings a successful 2024 season in the Xfinity Series, where he led JGR’s No. 20 team to eight wins and a second-place in the owner’s championship. He also managed a win for Ryan Truex in the 2024 Daytona Xfinity race, indicating his capacity to excel at high-pressure events.
Potential Impact of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona
The upcoming Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway offers Joe Gibbs Racing a prime opportunity to capitalize on its strong track record and season momentum. With multiple race-winning drivers, experienced crew chiefs, and passionate sponsorships aligned, JGR stands ready to influence the final standings entering the playoffs.
This race is not only a test of speed and strategy but also a culmination of hard work and resilience demonstrated by the team throughout the season. The emotional tribute to Christine Edwards and the impressive performances by Hamlin, Bell, Briscoe, and Gibbs promise an event that blends determination with heart.
As the regular season finale approaches, the results at Daytona will be pivotal in shaping playoff positioning, making this race critical for Joe Gibbs Racing’s quest to maintain its elite status in the NASCAR Cup Series.