Leadership, Driver Development, and NASCAR Dominance with Tyler Gibbs of TRD
Just over one year into his role as Group Vice President and President of Toyota Racing Development (TRD) USA, Tyler Gibbs is leading one of the most successful periods in Toyota’s NASCAR history while simultaneously shaping the future of the sport through driver development, global brand alignment, and technical evolution. In an exclusive interview, Gibbs reflected on his first year at the helm, Toyota’s playoff dominance, the strength of its development pipeline, and the future direction of NASCAR competition.
A Year of Transition and Growth
Gibbs, a long-time TRD executive prior to assuming the presidency, emphasized that his greatest pride comes from his team’s response to change and elevated expectations.
“TRD is a special place to work, but it’s not always an easy place,” Gibbs said. “There’s a high standard here and a constant push forward. Our people stepped up across competition, engineering, and commercial operations, and I’m really proud of how they’ve handled this year.”
One of the most memorable personal moments of his first year came with his participation in NASCAR Hall of Fame voting—an experience that underscored the weight of the sport’s history.
“Sitting in that room with legends of the sport and hearing the stories behind those names was incredibly humbling,” Gibbs said. “It was impactful in a way I didn’t fully expect.”
Building the Future Through Driver Development
Gibbs played a foundational role in establishing Toyota’s Driver Development Program, which continues to deliver elite talent to NASCAR’s national series. A standout in 2025 was Corey Heim, who captured the Truck Series championship with 12 wins.
“Corey stayed patient, trusted the process, and thrived at every level,” Gibbs stated. “Seeing that come together is incredibly rewarding.”
Toyota’s grassroots investment serves dual purposes: creating a pipeline for future victories and strengthening the long-term health of the sport itself.
“The sport needs drivers for the future,” Gibbs explained. “We’re a relational company. Many of today’s stars grew up within our system. Even if they race for other manufacturers now, those relationships endure.”
A Historic NASCAR Playoff Run for Toyota
Toyota closed out the 2025 NASCAR playoffs with 15 wins in 24 races, the brand’s strongest postseason performance since 2017. Gibbs attributed the success to steady improvement across all three national series.
In the Truck Series, Corey Heim’s dominance anchored Toyota’s performance, while teammates continued to build momentum.
In Xfinity, veteran leadership from Eric Almirola and Brandon Jones paid dividends during the playoffs.
In the Cup Series, Joe Gibbs Racing showed dramatic growth, more than doubling its win total from the previous season.
In Xfinity, veteran leadership from Eric Almirola and Brandon Jones paid dividends during the playoffs.
In the Cup Series, Joe Gibbs Racing showed dramatic growth, more than doubling its win total from the previous season.
“Nothing changed overnight,” Gibbs said. “It’s about stacking small improvements. This year, the return on that effort finally showed.”
Despite narrowly missing the Cup Series championship at Phoenix, Gibbs expressed strong confidence in the direction of Toyota’s top teams.
“We did everything right,” he said. “Sometimes you simply don’t win. But there’s no doubt—we’re coming back stronger next year.”
Global Expansion: Japan, Fuji Speedway, and NASCAR Abroad
Gibbs recently traveled to Japan as part of a historic NASCAR exhibition at Fuji Speedway, an event that drew massive fan interest and marked a rare convergence of Japanese motorsport culture and American stock car racing.
“The fan response was extraordinary,” Gibbs said. “Thousands came for autographs, selfies, and to walk the garage. They were fascinated not just by the drivers, but the cars themselves.”
The event included a symbolic moment when NASCAR stock cars were placed on Fuji’s iconic high-banked turn—originally designed in the 1960s with NASCAR aspirations—alongside Chairman Akio Toyoda.
“It was surreal,” Gibbs said. “An unforgettable experience.”
TRD, TGR, and GR: Toyota’s Motorsport Brand Structure
Gibbs clarified how Toyota’s racing brands are structured globally:
- Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) now serves as Toyota’s global motorsport identity.
- TRD remains active in the U.S. truck market, tied directly to TRD-branded Tacomas and Tundras.
- GR (Gazoo Racing) branding applies to road-going performance vehicles that meet specific performance standards.
“Globally, we race under TGR,” Gibbs explained. “On the road-car side, GR represents Toyota’s highest-performance vehicles.”
The Value of Street Races and New Markets
Toyota has strongly supported NASCAR’s expansion into urban markets such as Chicago, Mexico City, and soon San Diego.
“Chicago showed us that 80% of the fans had never attended a NASCAR race before,” Gibbs noted. “When people experience the speed and sound in person, it changes everything.”
While embracing new venues, Gibbs also emphasized the importance of maintaining traditional racing heritage at historic tracks.
“It’s about balance,” he said. “You want innovation, but you also never skip Yankee Stadium.”
Welcoming New Manufacturers and Future Powertrains
Gibbs voiced strong support for additional manufacturers potentially entering NASCAR, including Honda.
“More OEMs are good for the sport—period,” he said. “It’s good for fans, sponsors, and competition. We’d welcome Honda without hesitation.”
On powertrain evolution, Gibbs acknowledged that modern relevance may require future flexibility beyond traditional V8 architectures.
“If we want new OEMs, we need mechanisms that allow relevant technology while maintaining parity,” he said. “Equivalency is critical.”
Engineering Challenge Ahead: 750-Horsepower Cup Engines
The upcoming increase to 750 horsepower at road courses and shorter ovals presents new durability and optimization challenges for Toyota’s engine group.
“There will be stress increases, particularly on the bottom end,” Gibbs explained. “But engineering challenges are what excite us.”
Higher power, combined with evolving Goodyear tire compounds, is expected to increase tire degradation and enhance race strategy complexity.
“It should make for a better story throughout the race,” he added.
Commercial Growth and Strategic Technology Partnerships
Beyond on-track performance, TRD USA is pursuing expanded technical collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation and North American R&D, while also growing component sales volume.
“These projects allow us to influence both current and future production vehicles,” Gibbs said.
The Next Generation: A Name to Watch
While careful not to overload young drivers with pressure, Gibbs identified Brent Crews as one of Toyota’s most promising emerging talents. Crews will compete part-time in the Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing upon turning 18.
“He’s won at every level he’s raced,” Gibbs said. “The goal is steady improvement. The results will come.”
Eyes Forward
As TRD USA enters another competitive season, Gibbs remains focused on continuous improvement, talent development, technical excellence, and growing NASCAR’s reach worldwide.
“We want to win championships,” Gibbs said. “But just as important is how we build the future—on the track, in engineering, and across the next generation of drivers.”
