NASCAR: 5 Cup teams with open seats for 2023
By Asher Fair
Teams with open seats for 2023: No. 2 – Joe Gibbs Racing
Next we have Joe Gibbs Racing, which have yet to confirm whether or not Kyle Busch will be back for what would be a 16th season behind the wheel of the #18 Toyota in 2023.
Longtime partner Mars Wrigley is leaving the #18 team after the 2022 season, and despite the fact that this was announced after the 2021 season ended, Joe Gibbs Racing still haven’t been able to secure a replacement sponsor.
Busch has admitted that he is in talks with other teams, despite the fact that he has also admitted that he would be willing to take a pay cut to keep his current seat. The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is currently the sport’s highest paid driver.
A once promising sponsorship development recently ended in disappointment, with the deal reported to have fallen through, and there have been no further leads.
Should Busch not be back in the #18 Toyota next year, Ty Gibbs is the name mentioned most as a potential replacement.
While he is only in his first full Xfinity Series season and Joe Gibbs would like him to run two full seasons first before a promotion to the Cup Series, he did compete in 18 of 33 races on last year’s schedule.
He also recently got the opportunity to make his Cup Series debut — plus two other starts — as the replacement for the injured Kurt Busch at the Joe Gibbs Racing-affiliated 23XI Racing behind the wheel of the #45 Toyota.
Could the 19-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina native replace Kurt’s younger brother full-time?