The poor showing by the #18 team this season was more of a surprise thatn the good showing by the #20 team. Bobby had his worst season since joining Gibbs in 1995 with no poles and only 7 top 10's this year.
Next year the #20 remains basically intact, with the #18 team undergoing a crew chief change as McSwain steps in for Jimmy Makar. The immediate effect of Crew Chief changes remain virtually impossible to predict.
Gibbs Racing will not only switch to Chevy but will faced, as will all of the teams, with new templates and a standardized body location for 2003.
I look for the #18 team to struggle early as Bobby and Mike adapt to each other on raceday, but to have a better season than this year. The #20 team should remain strong.