On Tuesday, Joe Gibbs Racing announced a new primary sponsorship partner -- GSK's SHINGRIX (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted) -- which will serve in the role for four races combined on the No. 11 Toyota Camry TRD and No. 20 Toyota Camry TRD during the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season.
The partnership will get kicked off this weekend in the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway as the FDA-approved vaccine used for the prevention of shingles will be featured on Denny Hamlin's race car.
Joe Gibbs Racing shared a video on Twitter of the No. 11 SHINGRIX machine getting it's wrap applied for Phoenix:
This weekend's race will feature the debut of the new short-track racing package, which will cut downforce on the Next Gen car by roughly 30 to 40%, making the cars even harder to drive.
Hamlin says he is ready for the challenge, and feels the new package will add excitement to the race at the 1-mile track in Avondale, Arizona.
“The new short track aero package is going to be a game changer," Hamlin said. "This is going to be a simulation race. There’s going to be drivers in the sim, there’s going to be engineers working on setups nonstop because this is going to be a big change to what you see with the racing product. It’s roughly 40-percent less downforce than what we’ve had in the past. I know the guys who tested there talked about how much more you’re on edge with less downforce. I am really looking forward to it. It’s going to be exciting.”
The SHINGRIX vaccine will also make appearances on the No. 11 Toyota at Atlanta Motor Speedway (March 19) and Richmond Raceway (April 2).
Additionally, SHINGRIX will be the primary sponsorship partner of Christopher Bell and the No. 20 team at Martinsville Speedway (April 16).
Joe Gibbs Racing team owner Joe Gibbs says his race team is honored to be partnered with an organization that does so much in the pharmaceutical field to help prevent and treat disease.
“We are excited to announce our agreement with GSK to feature SHINGRIX,” said Gibbs. "GSK is one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies that prioritize innovation in vaccines and specialty medicines, maximizing the increasing opportunities to prevent and treat disease."
The NASCAR Cup Series United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway is set for Sunday, March 12. Television coverage will be provided by FOX, and the broadcast will begin at 3:30 PM ET. MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will provide radio broadcasts of the event.
Photo Credit: John K. Harrelson, LAT Images, Courtesy of Toyota Racing
