NASCAR: Kyle Busch has changed his mind on retirement

Kyle Busch retired from NASCAR Xfinity Series competition following the 2021 season, when he reached 100 wins. Now he is set to return in 2023.

If he said it once, he must have said it 100 times: Kyle Busch was going to be done competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series once he reached the 100-win mark.

After beginning the 2021 season with 97 wins, he reached that mark in his third start at Nashville Superspeedway. He only competed in his remaining two scheduled starts because they were already scheduled, and he won both, bringing his career win total to 102.

Even as NASCAR made restrictions on Cup Series drivers competing in lower series stricter and stricter over the years, Busch was known to compete in the maximum allowable race total in both the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.

Busch stuck to his word and did not compete in any Xfinity Series races during the 2022 season, which would end up being his 15th and final season with Joe Gibbs Racing in the Cup Series. He made his Xfinity Series debut in 2003, and the 2022 season was his first with no starts.

But with a new team, Kyle Busch is set to make his NASCAR Xfinity Series return in 2023.

After losing longtime primary sponsor M&M’s, Busch left Joe Gibbs Racing and joined Richard Childress Racing for the 2023 season, replacing the 23XI Racing-bound Tyler Reddick behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet.

New teammate Austin Dillon was recently confirmed by Kaulig Racing, which have a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, to drive the No. 10 Chevrolet in the 2023 Xfinity Series season’s second race at Auto Club Speedway. Landon Cassill drove the car full-time in 2022 but lost his ride for 2023.

According to Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Busch was a prime candidate to compete for Matt Kaulig’s team as well in select races this year.

Interestingly, Kaulig Racing was once seen as Busch’s top potential Cup Series landing spot for the 2023 season, but that didn’t pan out.

Busch has been announced as the driver of the No. 10 Chevrolet now as well, and for more than just one race. In fact, just like he used to, he is set to compete in the maximum allowable race total, with that number currently being five for full-time Cup Series drivers with more than three years of experience.

The 37-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada native, who owns the all-time record with 102 Xfinity Series wins, is set to compete in the races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 4; Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, March 11; Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 27; Watkins Glen International on Saturday, August 19; and Darlington Raceway on Saturday, September 2.

Kaulig Racing Cup Series driver Justin Haley has also been confirmed for a race in the No. 10 Chevrolet, that being the season opener at Daytona International Speedway. He is set to run multiple races, but none of the other locations have been announced. Like Busch, Kaulig Racing Cup Series driver A.J. Allmendinger is set to compete in five races as well.