NASCAR: 3 drivers who could be replaced for 2023

NASCAR drivers who could be replaced for 2023: No. 3 – Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch, and like his brother Kyle, he finds himself here for a reason other than performance. But his reason for being here is not sponsorship-related; it’s health-related.

Busch has been sidelined since his crash during qualifying at Pocono Raceway in July, with Ty Gibbs replacing him in each of the last eight races (and counting).

He has maintained that he is striving every day to return, but he isn’t willing to rush his recovery just to get back behind the wheel.

There are eight races remaining on the 2022 schedule, but even if he returns at some point later this season, there is no guarantee that he won’t decide to hang up his helmet before the 2023 season begins and instead remain with the team in some other role. He is under contract with 23XI Racing through next year.

Given not only his health but the uncertainty surrounding his younger brother’s future, there was thought that he could make the tough decision to step aside for Kyle to drive the #45 Toyota in 2023.

The move would have allowed Kyle to remain with Toyota, thus eliminating the potential need to switch Kyle Busch Motorsports’ manufacturer amid a switch to a new team/manufacturer such as Stewart-Haas Racing/Ford or Kaulig Racing/Richard Childress Racing/Chevrolet.

It would also have allowed him to retain ties to Joe Gibbs Racing, given the technical alliance between the two organizations.

However, with Kyle heading to Richard Childress Racing and Chevrolet, this is truly a situation where it’s totally up to Kurt, with little to no outside pressure. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be back.

The team have already signed current Richard Childress Racing driver Tyler Reddick, but he isn’t set to join the team in 2024. What will happen in 2023 if Kurt opts not to return?