[Smoke+GibbsFan]

I read a little blurb in the local paper about Toyota is courting Gibbs Racing. Anyone heard anything on this?

[tkj24]

I heard that a while back. Nothing lately.

[tkj24]

Gibbs evaluating manufacturer alignment

SCENEDAILY - 12:51PM ET SUNDAY JUNE 17, 2007 - BY BOB POCKRASS - ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BROOKLYN, Mich. - Having lost the Dale Earnhardt Jr. sweepstakes, Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs says his team is focused on its current lineup of drivers.
Gibbs says it's too early to talk about any interest in now available driver Kyle Busch (who is being replaced at Hendrick Motorsports by Earnhardt Jr.) nor whether his team will switch to Toyota next season.
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JGR has been with General Motors for 16 years.
"We wanted to wait and see what happened with the Junior deal," Gibbs said Sunday prior to the Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway. "And then we're going to sit down and evaluate. We've been a partner with them for 16 years. We're going to look at it and evaluate and make sure we're on the same page.
"Obviously, is Toyota out there as a possibility? I think they have probably talked to a number of different groups... We just want to make sure, as the sport changes, how do we stay where we need to be at JGR to stay ahead of the curve? And a big part is manufacturer."
Toyota Senior Vice President Lee White would not comment on the company's business dealings.
As far as losing out on Earnhardt Jr., Gibbs said he was glad to get a chance to make an offer and that he thought Earnhardt Jr. would have worked well there.
"That was a situation where everybody had an opportunity to sit down in front of him and say, 'Here is what we got, what do you think? And where are you at?,' " Gibbs said. "We had long odds on that one. It felt good that at least we were part of the process. ... It was a good experience for us. They made the right decision for them."
So, is he now part of the Busch sweepstakes?"
"We don't want to get involved in [talking about] other stuff now." Gibbs said. "We don't want to take our eyes off the prize. ... We're going to focus on our deal, and I don't have much to say."