Gilliland catches a break

[John Gregorio]

Looks like David will drive a fourth Gibbs car for three races!

Gilliland in fourth Gibbs car this year?

UPDATE: It's been a tough road for former Yates driver David Gilliland this season. Gilliland, who was 21st in the #28 Ford for Doug Yates at this juncture last year, has qualified for every race in the #71 TRG Motorsports Chevy. Gilliland has been a loyal soldier in the start-n-park venture and is currently 43rd in the point standings. However, it appears he will have a reprieve at the hand of Joe Gibbs Racing. Gilliland, 33, is expected to drive the fourth JGR car [#02 sponsored by Farm Bureau] in four races at the end of this season.(Fox Sports)(7-11-2009)

UPDATE: David Gilliland, who earlier this week was replaced by Bobby Labonte for seven races at #71 TRG Motorsports, will attempt to qualify a fourth Sprint Cup car [supposedly the #02 Toyota] at Joe Gibbs Racing for three of the final 12 events, multiple sources told ESPN.com on Friday. Gilliland will compete at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, Texas and Homestead-Miami in a car sponsored by Farm Bureau. The JGR deal actually initiated the deal for TRG Motorsports to sign Labonte after the 2000 Cup champion was pulled from the #96 Ford at Hall of Fame/Yates Racing in favor of Erik Darnell for seven of the final 12 events. Gilliland had made 22 of 24 events for TRG Motorsports and ranks 37th in points in the #71 [and a failed attempt at Watkins Glen in TRG's #70]. Sources said the decision to go with Gilliland was to satisfy a contract with Farm Bureau to compete in three Cup events and does not necessarily mean the organization will expand to a fourth full-time team in 2010. Officials at JGR were not available for comment.(ESPN)(9-4-2009)

 

[MONSTARR]

There is also talk that he will drive the 21 in some races

 

[Shift]

old news... Just confirmed he will drive 3 races instead of 4... From what I read it sounds like JGR promised Farm Bureau that they would get them a few more cup races. Unless Gilliland shines I don't think he will end up driving the JGR 4th car full time.

 

[MattSRD28]

*sigh* Gilliland drove the #38 car last year, not the #28 car. Good job Fox Sports...

 

[David24]

*sigh* Gilliland drove the #38 car last year, not the #28 car. Good job Fox Sports...

give 'em a break. they came up with digger....come on....

 

[MattSRD28]

It just frustrates me when a multi-billion dollar professional organization gets a fact wrong when a 5 second review of last year's points standings could have prevented it, or simple proofreading if it was a typo. It's just sloppy.

 

[JeffJordan]

I'm happy for him, he's a good driver, save for that accident with Mark Martin at Atlanta...

 

[Janitor Dave]

I'm happy for him, he's a good driver, save for that accident with Mark Martin at Atlanta...

Look at his record. Good driver? More like, 'Good for a laugh'

 

[Michael James]

Look at his record. Good driver? More like, 'Good for a laugh'

well look at the equipment he has been in
ummm... not to good

 

[Janitor Dave]

He was with Yates and still did bad. He won that NWS race from pit strategy, not talent.

 

[Michael James]

i dont consider yates a top quality team, more of a robby gordon like team

 

[JeffJordan]

i dont consider yates a top quality team, more of a robby gordon like team

Yeah, high quality would be more like Hendrick, Childress, EGR, Roush, RPM, and maybe even MWR the way they have their sponsorship settled in more then 1 series.

 

[Michael James]

yates was like that with the old 88 but now they are done

 

[MattSRD28]

Robert may have retired, but Yates is far from done. If trials, turnover, and a lot of tragedy couldn't stop that team, there's no chance that a lull in performance will.

 

[Tnadz]

I think Gilliland has a good opportunity. He can perform very well and he does put his all into it. It will be interesting to see how a change-up will affect him. Would be cool to see him take over at Woods Bros when (if?) Bill retires.