By David Morgan, Associate Editor
Nearly three months have passed since the checkered flag waved at Phoenix to close out the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, but it’s that time of the year again when a new season beckons.
After the debut of the Next Gen car last year brought about a record-tying number of winners, teams have had the offseason to get their cars ready for another lap around the country that will take them to some familiar places and some new ones as well.
As we gear up for another season to start, here are some of the things to keep an eye on as the season plays out.
The Prodigal Son Returns
Following a two-year stint in open wheel racing, Jimmie Johnson is back behind of the wheel of a stock car in 2023, having acquired a partial ownership of Petty GMS over the offseason and rebranding the team to Legacy Motor Club.
In addition to his new ownership role, Johnson will run selected races this season in the No. 84 Chevrolet, beginning with the Daytona 500. Johnson’s other races are yet to be announced, but during Rolex 24 weekend at Daytona, Johnson was named as one of the three drivers to pilot the NASCAR Garage 56 Next Gen car at Le Mans this summer.
“I love driving cars. I want to experience it,” Johnson said of getting to drive a Next Gen car in his return to NASCAR.
“Hearing from the current drivers on the performance and braking…the ability to shift, which is something I’d try to do a lot with the old style car. NASCAR started changing the gear ratio rules to not allow people to shift. I had a thing, one of my final races, downshifting to third. Nobody was doing it yet, so I think there are elements of this new car that I’m excited and eager to experience.
“Again, I just love driving cars and being in the marquee events.”
Harvick’s Last Ride
As one former champion makes his return, another is saying goodbye.
When the checkered flag waves on the 2023 season in Phoenix in November, Kevin Harvick will be hanging up his helmet and stepping out of the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford for the final time.
In the 22 years that Harvick has been competing at NASCAR’s highest level, he has remaining a consistent title contender season after season, winning 60 races along the way and capturing the 2014 series championship.
He’ll make one final run at the title this season and then ride off into the sunset.
“There is absolutely nothing else in the world that I enjoy doing more…
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