Joe Gibbs Racing announces today that it has altered its driver lineup for Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway.
Denny Hamlin, who was scheduled to drive the No. 18 Dollar General Toyota will now take the night off in order to rest a sore back in preparation for Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race. Joey Logano will move from the No. 20 to now pilot the No. 18 Sport Clips Toyota. Clint Bowyer will now drive the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota for JGR. Brian Scott will remain behind the wheel of the No. 11 Dollar General Toyota.
“My hope was to run the Nationwide Series race Friday night, but I woke up with a sore back earlier this week and feel it’s in the best interest of the team to sit it out,” said Hamlin. “Luckily it’s nothing serious and the extra rest will help me on Saturday night.”
Logano won this race last year and in seven Nationwide Series starts on the famed track, he has the one win along with three top-five and four top-ten finishes. Bowyer has 13 career Nationwide Series starts at Daytona with one win, eight top-five and 10 top-ten finishes. He has won a total of eight Nationwide Series races over the course of his career. This will be his first start for JGR.
“We’re looking forward to working with Clint and appreciate his willingness to step behind the wheel for us on such short notice,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “Denny will be fine, but we just felt it was in his best interest to rest his back and not have him have to practice or race in Nationwide this weekend.”
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