NASCAR: Joe Gibbs Racing still have a big decision to make

Joe Gibbs Racing confirmed a promotion for Ty Gibbs to the NASCAR Cup Series for the 2023 season, but they still have a massive decision to make.

As expected, Ty Gibbs is set to replace the Richard Childress Racing-bound Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing’s NASCAR Cup Series team for the 2023 season. Ty is the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, and he won the 2022 Xfinity Series championship in his first full season of competition at the sport’s second highest level.

Busch is out after 15 seasons behind the wheel of the No. 18 Toyota, as longtime primary sponsor M&M’s announced that they would not be returning for the 2023 season and a once promising replacement sponsorship development ultimately fell through.

The two-time champion’s move to Richard Childress Racing allows him to reunite with Chevrolet. He competed for the manufacturer in his first three seasons as a full-time Cup Series driver with Hendrick Motorsports from 2005 to 2007.

Notably, Gibbs is set to drive the No. 54 Toyota, not the No. 18 Toyota, next year. The 2023 season is set to be the first in 32 years without a No. 18 car, as Joe Gibbs Racing have used the number every year since making their Cup Series debut in the 1992 season.

The move solidifies Joe Gibbs Racing’s four-car lineup for the 2023 season, with Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., and Christopher Bell all set to return for another year in the No. 11 Toyota, No. 19 Toyota, and No. 20 Toyota, respectively, but it leaves the Toyota powerhouse with a big decision to make.

Who will drive for their Xfinity Series team next year?

It isn’t just Gibbs’ No. 54 Toyota that they have to worry about filling either, as it was announced just days after Busch’s departure was confirmed that Brandon Jones, who has spent the last five seasons driving the No. 19 Toyota, is set to move to JR Motorsports for the 2023 season.

Jones is set to replace Noah Gragson behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet, as Gragson is set for a promotion to the Cup Series as the replacement for the Spire Motorsports-bound Ty Dillon behind the wheel of the No. 42 Chevrolet at Petty GMS Motorsports.

Several names have been discussed as possibilities, including Ryan Truex, Trevor Bayne, Corey Heim, John Hunter Nemechek, and Sammy Smith. Of those five, the favorites appear to be Nemechek and Smith.

Notably, Toyota also lost Chandler Smith to Chevrolet, so he isn’t an option, despite having once been considered one. Smith, who advanced to the Truck Series Championship 4 with Kyle Busch Motorsports this past season, signed with Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity Series team to replace the Cup Series-bound A.J. Allmendinger.