More than two years ago, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) banned its drivers from competing in open-wheel dirt racing events—a cautious but controversial policy. Their driver, Christopher Bell, resented the policy. Growing up in the sport, he always hoped to return to it when he wasn’t driving a Cup car. Fortunately, the team has made the decision to relax the ban, which will ensure its NASCAR Cup Series drivers compete in other disciplines. But how did drivers get the green light from Joe Gibbs?

With stars like Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, and Chase Briscoe advocating dirt track racing, JGR faced mounting internal pressure. During an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Dave Alpern revealed how the restriction had eventually worn down Joe Gibbs, who had maintained it for a while.

“I think they just wore out a little bit but… Look, Christopher was great about it and I know many of his fans and dirt fans were disappointed about that and look, I think there were few injuries and I know Kyle Larson got hurt a couple of years back. People forget we have almost 500 employees, and it is not just the employees, there’s the sponsors, and people that are counting on the drivers. So we felt like we have a responsibility that have to protect these guys for, this is their primary job,” Alpern said, explaining the reasoning behind the ban.

“There were some folks here that pushed coach a little bit… Overtime, it was just a matter of letting things settle down a little bit. Now you get like, Chase Briscoe comes in. He loves doing it. Look I personally believe when those guys go run those things, it breathes new life into them… Thete’s something about that with the dirt thing kinda idea. So I think over time, Christopher handling it the right way, Chase Briscoe coming in, just made it like okay.”

There was more to it than just the drivers pushing for the change. It was also about what dirt racing could do for their performance in NASCAR. Drivers can benefit from dirt racing, both mentally and physically, and it can even improve their performance in the Cup Series.

To be fair, the change didn’t happen overnight. The rule book wasn’t simply thrown out by Joe Gibbs Racing. The decision to allow dirt racing now requires careful consideration from senior leadership, including Alpern, Gibbs, and competition director Chris Gabehart. In order to meet the team’s safety standards, drivers must present their dirt racing plans for approval.

However, safety is still a priority. Alpern joked, “If [Coach Gibbs] sees someone flip over a fence in May, he may revoke the pass.” He is not wrong. It is still up to the team to decide whether a driver will be cleared to race despite the new policy. Safety is still a top priority. Regardless, this relaxation is a huge win for both JGR drivers and fans. It is now possible for Bell, Gibbs, and Briscoe to pursue dirt racing with JGR’s blessings and it will be exciting to see how this new chapter plays out, with some of NASCAR’s biggest names involved in thrilling dirt racing battles.

Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, and Chase Briscoe are ready for the challenge!

It was Ty Gibbs who took advantage of the change first. When the policy change was announced, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year was already competing in Micro Sprint races and testing Sprint Cars. He spoke about his excitement for the future, saying, “I’m glad it got lifted and hopefully we can see Christopher win a ton of races, and hopefully me too, and Chase.”

Bell pushed tirelessly for the policy change, and Gibbs acknowledged the timing was perfect. As a dirt racing enthusiast, Christopher Bell welcomed the chance to return to the sport that made him famous. It’s nice to know that he will have the flexibility to race when the schedule allows. Bell said, even though he hasn’t committed to any particular dirt race yet, he will “take it week-by-week.”

“It’s nice to know that it’s in my hands and the competition department’s hands. I’m excited about it and looking forward to reconnecting with my dirt fans.”

This change was also welcomed by Chase Briscoe, who has a long history in dirt racing. He looks forward to the opportunity as he shared, “I’m thankful that they opened up the reins a little bit.” Their Cup commitments always come first, even though they are thrilled about their newfound dirt racing freedom. Briscoe was quick to point out that his focus remains on the No. 19 car in NASCAR. “I want my main focus to be this No. 19 team. The desire isn’t there to go dirt racing only because I want to do this right,” he said.

This policy shift represents a major turning point for JGR. This shows how much the team values its drivers’ individuality and passion, as well as its ability to adapt. Fans are excited about this change as some of the sport’s biggest stars are going back to their roots. Dirt racing is back, and JGR is all in.