NASCAR: 3 possible replacements for Kyle Busch
By Asher Fair
Possible Kyle Busch replacements: No. 2 – Chandler Smith
As he is not a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver, it would probably be better to classify Chandler Smith as a replacement for Ty Gibbs. However, as there is clearly no driver set to be the primary driver of the “star car” this year regardless, we’ll list him as a possible replacement for Kyle Busch.
Smith is in his second season competing in the Truck Series for Kyle Busch Motorsports. The Toyota prospect had a somewhat challenging rookie season last year, but he turned it on late in the year, winning two of the last five races.
He has picked up where he left off this season, winning the second race of the year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in front of his boss in second place. After three races this year, he leads the point standings.
His teammate, John Hunter Nemechek, is set to compete in three Xfinity Series races for Joe Gibbs Racing later this season after doing so last year. In fact, many believed that he may be called upon to compete full-time for the team in 2022.
With the “star car” still vacant for 12 races, why shouldn’t Smith get the opportunity to do the same?
Going back to the 2020 season, Busch has eight straight top two finishes in the Truck Series, including four wins. All four runner-up finishes have come behind one of his own drivers.
After Nemechek led a 1-2 finish over Busch on three occasions last year, it didn’t take long for Smith to join the club in 2022. Giving him a taste of the Xfinity Series at some point before the year ends would be in the best interest of Toyota, Kyle Busch Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing — and, of course, Smith himself.