Over the last three decades, Joe Gibbs Racing and Interstate Batteries have been able to forge one of the strongest relationships in NASCAR Cup Series history, with the sponsor joining the team as a founding partner in 1992.
Now, as the partnership prepares to begin its 31st season, both parties are ready to charge forwards, with an expanded relationship for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season.
On Wednesday, JGR announced that Interstate Batteries would be expanding upon its relationship with the championship-winning organization, serving as a primary partner for each of the team's four NASCAR Cup Series entries.
"One of the great strengths of our partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing over the last 31 years, is the way the sponsorship with them has evolved and changed as our needs as a company and brand have evolved," said Norm Miller, Chairman of Interstate Batteries. "The expansion of Team Interstate on all four JGR cars during 2023 is the next step in the evolution of our sponsorship."
The company, which over the past several years has served as a multi-race sponsor of one entry for the organization, will sponsor Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. in one event each.
Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota Camry TRD will carry Interstate Batteries at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), while Truex's No. 19 Toyota Camry TRD will carry the exact same paint scheme at Pocono in July.
The organization's other two entries, driven by Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs, will see Interstate Batteries carry a heavier presence, with multiple races of primary sponsorship with the No. 20 and No. 54.
Gibbs, who will run for Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Cup Series this season, will have Interstate on the No. 54 as a co-primary sponsor in the Daytona 500.
The defending champion of the NASCAR Xfinity Series will have the company as a full primary sponsor in events at Bristol Dirt (April 9), Nashville (June 25), the Chicago Street Course (July 2), Texas (September 24), and Charlotte's ROVAL (October 8).
Christopher Bell, who finished third-place in NASCAR Cup Series point standings in 2022, will have Interstate Batteries debut on his No. 20 Toyota Camry TRD at the Busch Light Clash on February 5.
The company will return for events at North Wilkesboro (May 21), the Coca-Cola 600 (May 28), Texas (September 24), and Martinsville (October 29).
“We’re extremely proud of our partnership with our founding sponsor, Interstate Batteries,” said Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “They have been such an important part of our team for over three decades now, and it’s exciting to have them on board all four of our cars this season. The best part of our partnership is the relationships we’ve built with everyone there over the years. It all started, of course, with Norm and Tommy Miller, and now includes Lain (Hancock) and his entire team. It’s going to be a great season.”