Joe Gibbs Racing announced on Friday night that the team's co-founder and co-chairman J.D Gibbs died after complications from a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease. He was 49.

Gibbs was the oldest son of team owner Joe Gibbs, who revealed in 2015 that J.D. was suffering from brain-function problems that doctors couldn't fully explain. At the time, J.D. Gibbs was serving as the president of the organization.

In addition to taking an active role over-the-wall with the team, he had also worked as a talent scout, discovering current team mainstay Denny Hamlin. Gibbs played football at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

As a driver, he made five career starts in what is now the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 1998 and 1999; and ran eight events with the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series from from 2000-to-2002. He started 16 of 20 events on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule in 1999. Before that, he raced Late Models in the Carolinas and Virginias.

“Our entire Toyota family mourns the loss of a great partner and friend in J.D. Gibbs," Bob Carter, executive vice president of Sales for Toyota Motor North America. "Our thoughts are with the Gibbs family and the extended family that is Joe Gibbs Racing.

"J.D. was a special soul and beloved family man who was an integral part of establishing the heart of the race team. His incredible personality, laugh and infectious smile will continue to live on. Our deepest sympathies are with Joe, Pat, Coy, Melissa and his four sons.”

Details regarding a memorial service will be forthcoming at a future date.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. My heart goes out to the Gibbs family about JD’s passing this morning. He was always so kind and gracious to everyone. — Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) January 12, 2019 This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Absolutely heartbroken to wake up to the news about JD Gibbs.. You couldn’t ask for a better person. I loved our days of racing late models up and Tri County. JD will be missed by so many... 🙏🏼

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gibbs family and everyone @JoeGibbsRacing — Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) January 12, 2019 This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. My heart was saddened when I heard the news last night about JD Gibbs passing away. I can’t emphasize enough about what a positive impact JD was on my life. Prayers to all of the Gibbs family. 🙏🏻 — Bobby Labonte (@Bobby_Labonte) January 12, 2019 This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Saddened of the news that JD Gibbs has passed. Admired by all in the NASCAR community & someone you instantly wanted to be friends with when you met him. Thoughts & prayers to the entire Gibbs family. — Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) January 12, 2019 This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The greatest legacy you can leave behind is for people to say you made a difference in their lives, JD Gibbs was a man of great faith, his positive attitude and his gentle smile will be with all of us forever, R.I.P. JD Gibbs — Darrell Waltrip (@AllWaltrip) January 12, 2019

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