NASCAR: Kyle Busch decision could produce his best year yet
By Randy Smith
Kyle Busch’s landing spot for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season has become a topic of heavy speculation. But wherever he lands, he could produce his best year yet.
When Mars Wrigley announced their plans to discontinue their NASCAR sponsorship after the 2022 season, many wondered how it would impact Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver Kyle Busch for 2023.
M&M’s has served as the anchor sponsor for the #18 Toyota since Busch’s arrival to JGR in 2008 and remains one of the few Fortune 500 companies still in the sport. Without their substantial financial backing, many questions needed to be answered about who would sponsor Busch and at what cost, and how JGR would address the situation.
Earlier in the year, Busch seemed adamant that if sponsorship couldn’t be found in the #18 Toyota, he’d walk away from the team, stating that “if (sponsorship) happens, it happens. If it don’t, it don’t; goodbye.”
He since shifted gears and said he would take a pay cut to stay with JGR, but he has also admitted to talking with other teams and has said that he has received multiple offers.
Kaulig Racing have been the heavily rumored landing spot for the two-time Cup Series champion, as well as Richard Childress Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing. Having said that a big change is coming, Busch could be ready to sign with a new team for 2023.
And if Busch does elect to sign with a new team for 2023, it could result in it one of his best seasons yet.
Busch isn’t a stranger to having to start his NASCAR career over with a new team, having done so when he signed with JGR in 2008.
After spending his first three seasons with Hendrick Motorsports, he showed the premier Chevrolet team exactly what they gave up and won eight races in the first year behind the wheel of the #18 Toyota. In three years at Hendrick Motorsports, he totaled four trips to victory lane.
His replacement in the #5 Chevrolet, Casey Mears, didn’t score a single win in 2008 and finished 10 spots lower in the championship standings than Busch.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports’ new addition for the 2008 season, was dumped by Busch at Richmond Raceway that year as well. Needless to say, the message was sent.
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Toyota Racing Development president David Wilson has said that he does not want to race against a “pissed off” Kyle Busch next year, but that situation may become reality. If Busch does in fact leave JGR, the flame may be reignited in him to show what they missed out on and why the 37-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada native has earned the nickname “Wild Thing” throughout his career.