Background: A star driver at JGR since 2008, collecting 56 of his 60 Cup wins there and winning two Cup titles (2015, 2019). New deal could not be struck after departure of long-time sponsor M&Ms (Mars Inc.). Will be replaced by Ty Gibbs, newly crowned NASCAR Xfinity champion.
Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, M&M’s Toyota Camry
Photo by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
Jim Utter: There may not be a move more anticipated in 2023 than two-time Cup champion Busch joining forces with longtime owner Richard Childress. The biggest question mark will be if Busch can take RCR back to being not only a consistent winner but also a challenger for series championships. Reddick certainly showed both were possible at RCR before his sooner-than-expected departure. Busch brings a wealth of talent and experience which should help elevate the entire organization. The downside is the uncertainty of how Busch will respond to being in a less competitive environment if things don’t go as well as he and the team hope.
Nick DeGroot: This will be a massive shift for Busch, who started his Cup career with Hendrick before spending the next 14 years at Gibbs. It will take time for him to get accustomed to his new home, but RCR won four races during the 2022 season and put both cars in the playoffs. There are on an upswing and it’s the perfect time to bring in a driver the caliber of Busch. I expect to see early struggles, but once they start winning, they won’t stop. Not likely in 2023, but Busch is the driver who could eventually elevate RCR to a championship-winning organization once again.
Ty Gibbs – NASCAR Xfinity Series to Cup with Joe Gibbs Racing
Background: 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, winning double digit races (eleven) in just two seasons in NASCAR’s secondary division. Grandson of Joe Gibbs with 15 starts at the Cup level, subbing for the injured Kurt Busch. Best finish of tenth at Michigan. Also won 2021 ARCA title.
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing, Monster Energy Toyota Supra celebrates his win
Photo by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
Jim Utter: JGR’s inability to keep Busch in its Cup program, combined with Gibbs’ immediate success in the Xfinity Series, made Gibbs’ elevation to the JGR Cup program a no-brainer. Given his so-so performance filling in for Kurt Busch at 23XI Racing in 2023, it seems pretty obvious Ty will have an adjustment period to go through on the Cup side. He will have a talented group…
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