Why Richard Childress Racing and 23XI Racing have emerged as co-favorites to land the 60-time Cup winner.
Logan RielyGetty ImagesThe long-running saga surrounding Toyota driver Kyle Busch’s next NASCAR Cup Series ride might be coming to an end as early as this weekend. Maybe.
Very maybe.
Nine days ago, Toyota Racing Development leader David Wilson said there could be a resolution to the Busch question “within seven to 10 days.” After 15 years, 56 victories, and two Cup Series titles with Joe Gibbs Racing, the company hasn’t found an appropriate new sponsor for Busch and his No. 18 M&M Mars Toyota. JGR’s lineup for 2023 seems set with Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell signed on, leaving one seat available.
It’s now almost a certainty Busch will be gone from JGR after this season. The year’s biggest question continues to be, where is he going? If recent speculation means anything – including a strong hint from Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Twitter—Richard Childress Racing and Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing—are the co-favorites going into this weekend’s three-race program at Kansas Speedway.
🌳👉🏼🎱
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) September 8, 2022
🌳👉🏼🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀 👁👂
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) September 9, 2022
Team owner Richard Childress has already signed his grandson, Austin Dillon, to continue on his two-car Chevrolet team. Teammate Tyler Reddick is committed to RCR’s No. 8 Chevrolet for next year, but has already signed with 23XI Racing for 2024. It’s no secret that an absolutely furious Childress doesn’t want Reddick around for a lame-duck 2023 season. (If he says otherwise, check for crossed-fingers behind his back). If all contracts can be settled, there’s definitely room for Busch in RCR’s No. 8.
23XI Racing of Hamlin and Michael Jordan has an available spot. Or does it? Bubba Wallace is set for the foreseeable future in the No. 23 Toyota, but the status of teammate Kurt Busch remains murky. The former champion was injured during a Pocono crash in July and has missed the last seven races with concussion-like symptoms.
Full-time Xfinity Series driver Ty Gibbs has been subbing in Busch’s old car, but isn’t considered a viable full-time replacement since he’ll almost certainly replace Kyle Busch when the No. 18 car comes available. Whatever the specifics, it’s a given that Gibbs won’t be getting the same kind of salary that JGR was paying Kyle Busch. Of course … you get what you pay for.
It’s been suggested that Kyle Busch might move to 23XI Racing to replace his older brother. Some NASCAR-insiders expect Kurt Busch’s concussions to sideline him the rest of this season. Others think that at 45 and with a Hall of Fame invitation awaiting, his NASCAR career may be over. Busch says he wants to return to racing as soon as he’s medically cleared, either this year or next.
It was thought at one time that Chevrolet-based Kaulig Racing was a strong bidder for Kyle Busch, but that speculation seems to have faded. Also … Kyle to 23XI Racing would make it easier for Kyle Busch Motorsports to enjoy continued support from TRD for its Truck Series program.
Busy Weekend in Kansas
More details about next year’s All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway – will be fodder for conversation during the busy weekend at Kansas Speedway.
The Camping World Truck Series has a 134-lap, 200-mile race Friday night, the Xfinity Series has a 200-lap, 300-mile race Saturday afternoon, and the Cup Series has a 267-lap, 400-mile race Sunday afternoon at 3.
The Hollywood Casino 400 is the second of three races in Round 1 of the four-round Championship Playoff Series. By finishing fourth last weekend at Darlington, former champion Joey Logano takes a six-point lead over William Byron into Kansas. Hamlin, Bell, Reddick, winless Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and Ross Chastain are 1-8 in the standings.
Regular-season champion and four-time ’22 winner Chase Elliott is ninth, followed by Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric, Dillon, Chase Briscoe, and former champion Kevin Harvick are 9th-16th. The tour is at Bristol, Tenn. on Sept. 16-17 for the third and final race of Round 1.
Keyword: The Case for Two Landing Spots for NASCAR Champ Kyle Busch in 2023