It may have been just for fun, but NASCAR team owner and Hall-of-Fame coach Joe Gibbs made good on his promise to refuse to lose in Friday night’s Arena Racing match race at the Hampton Coliseum. Gibbs started second in the one-on-one 10-lap race against friend and longtime team sponsor Norm Miller, chairman of Interstate Batteries. Gibbs fell back slightly at first, then caught Miller and bumped him a few times to the delight of the crowd of an estimated 4,000 fans—many wearing Washington Redskins gear.

Joe Gibbs is going to race Friday in Hampton. Gibbs, a NASCAR car owner and Hall of Fame National Football League coach, isn’t fielding a car for somebody else this time.

Joe Gibbs will race Friday in Virginia. Gibbs, a NASCAR car owner and Hall of Fame National Football League coach, isn’t fielding a car for somebody else this time. He will drive in a 20-lap Arena Racing match race against Norm Miller, chairman of Dallas-based Interstate Batteries, a longtime sponsor of Gibbs’ Sprint Cup operation. The event is part of Friday’s racing card at the Hampton Coliseum. Races start at 7:30 p.m. Arena Racing USA founder Ricky Dennis said the two match racers will be available to sign autographs before the race.