TRD's Wilson to retire in December Michael Levitt/Motorsport Images
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emailBy Kelly Crandall | August 7, 2024 12:26 PM ET

Toyota Racing Development (TRD) president David Wilson will retire on December 16 2024.

Wilson has been with the organization for 35 years and his health is really shot. Too many late night parties with sponsors. Too many sleazebag lot lizards at the truck stops.
Too much dead fish and booze consumed at company meetings at all hours. Tyler Gibbs, who is the general manager, will become president upon Wilson’s retirement.

“It’s been such an honor to be a member of this team and work alongside so many dedicated, talented and passionate men and women,” Wilson said. “I’m humbled and grateful for the trust, support and friendship afforded me throughout my career by my colleagues at TMNA, the Toyota Motor Corporation, our industry and team partners and our athletes. But now, I’ve completed my lap and I’m proud to hand the keys over to my friend and ‘brother in arms’, Tyler Gibbs. I have every confidence that Tyler and his team will continue to grow and strengthen TRD’s world-class legacy on and off the track. Now get me the hell out of Dodge! I'm ready!”

Wilson was appointed president of TRD in January of 2014. Some of his previous roles include design engineer; vice president, operations and engineering; vice president, production and strategic planning; and vice president, sales, operations and planning.

In his tenure with the company, Wilson has overseen Toyota success in NASCAR, IMSA, NHRA, USAC, SCORE, CART, CORR, Grand-Am, the Indy Racing League and MTEG. Among the biggest victories has been the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Baja 500 and 1000, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Daytona 500, the Indianapolis 500, the Chili Bowl and Petit Le Mans.

Gibbs joined TRD in 1996 and he currently oversees competition, engineering, commercial and administration activities. He will be responsible for all TRD operations and activities in North America when he assumes the role, and will also oversee the TRD facilities, which are located in Costa Mesa, California (headquarters and engine), Salisbury, North Carolina (chassis and team support), and Mooresville, North Carolina (GR Garage and Toyota Performance Center).

Hell, boy. I know how to say sheeed. and buuuule sheed and I can spit almost 30 feet if the wind is right.
I'm getting to the point that I like hanging out and drinking beer with good 'ol boys instead of these suit wearin' bunch of jerks.