NASCAR: Kyle Busch finally makes his announcement

At long last, Kyle Busch has confirmed the team for which he is set to drive during the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season and beyond.

Following several months of speculation, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch announced on Tuesday that he is set to leave Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota at the end of the 2022 season and reunite with Chevrolet by joining Richard Childress Racing.

The 37-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada native spent the first three seasons of his full-time Cup Series career at Chevrolet driving for Hendrick Motorsports before spending the last 15 years behind the wheel of the #18 Toyota.

Richard Childress Racing were one of several teams in the running to land Busch’s services for next year, and they emerged as the favorite late last week.

Richard Childress Racing already have both Austin Dillon and Tyler Reddick under contract for the 2023 season, and they currently run two cars, so there were questions as to how Busch might fit into the equation.

Busch is set to replace Reddick behind the wheel of the #8 Chevrolet, but the team have reportedly acquired a third charter (seller/lender not publicized) for next year and plan to move Reddick to that third car. The number of that car hasn’t been confirmed.

Reddick has already signed with 23XI Racing and Toyota for 2024, so there was speculation that he and Richard Childress Racing could cut ties a year early, despite the team insisting that he remains under contract through the end of the 2023 season.

Reddick driving a third non-chartered car was also pitched as an idea, as it was unclear if Richard Childress Racing would want to purchase a third charter when they may not truly have a need for one beyond 2023 with Reddick leaving anyway.

Despite the team reaffirming their commitment to Reddick for 2023, there are still some who believe he will be with a new team next year.

Dillon is under contract with his grandfather’s team to drive the #3 Chevrolet through the 2025 season. Busch did admit that he asked about potentially driving the #3 car, made famous by the late Dale Earnhardt, but that ultimately won’t happen.