Widespread reports say Kyle Busch is going to Richard Childress Racing in 2023; Driver comments
Kyle Busch’s NASCAR contract is due to expire at the end of the 2022 season. He’s spent the last 15 years driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, collecting two NASCAR Cup Series championships along the way.
MARS Incorporated has been the primary sponsor for Busch in recent seasons. At the end of the year, that sponsorship will also expire as the private company is pulling out of NASCAR.
That MARS announcement was made public in December 2021. The team has been scrambling ever since.
MARS Incorporated to end NASCAR partnership
Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota have been on a sponsorship search, together. The team has even taken a very unique approach of reaching out to other teams with their sponsorship search.
However, months have gone by. There’s been no sponsorship or contract renewal announcement.
In recent weeks, Busch admitted that he’s speaking to other teams. And, some of those are outside of the Toyota stables.
Toyota ‘disappointed’ as Kyle Busch hints at Goodbye to Joe Gibbs Racing
Kyle Busch hints he’ll be outside Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023
Kyle Busch to Richard Childress Racing?
On Friday, vast reports indicated a deal has been struck with Richard Childress Racing.
“I don’t have any new news to share. If I did, I guarantee you there would be some kind of big announcement. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been one of those yet. We’re still working on it behind the scenes, trying to put it all together,” Kyle Busch stated when asked if he’s going to RCR in 2023.
“Sam as it’s been, just stressful. Yeah, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not a train, it is sunshine. Trying to figure all that out and keep the train on the tracks right now. For, a little bit longer.”
Several years ago, it was rumored that Richard Childress punched Kyle Busch following on on-track incident involving Kyle and one of the RCR cars.
Rumors quickly spread that Busch was given a black eye. The very next day, Busch made sure to take his sunglasses off, rather dramatically, right before all his morning interviews.
“Whose to say he hasn’t punched me again? In any of these conversations, when you go into negotiations it’s never fun, you’re duking the whole time,” Kyle Busch said with a laugh.
“Really, you grow up and you work through things. It was fine, the first time I say down with him. Biggest thing, was having the opportunity to put that behind us.”
Earlier this year, it was announced that RCR driver Tyler Reddick would join 23XI Racing. However, that deal doesn’t happen until 2024.
Tyler Reddick signs with 23XI Racing in NASCAR Cup Series
Kyle Busch Motorosports?
A change to Chevrolet would have a large ripple effect. Kyle Busch Motorsports fields a line of Toyota trucks in the NASCAR Truck Series. Additionally, they also field cars in the ARCA Menards Series. A switch to Chevrolet in his Cup deal would like cause a switch to Chevrolet with those teams as well.
KBM currently has three trucks in the Playoffs. All three have advanced into the next round.
“I’m proud of the effort to make us the winningest truck program in history,” Kyle Busch stated of Kyle Busch Motorsports.
“I’m definitely not comfortable with all where that’s at yet. Trying to put all the things in the right places, simultaneously, was the objective and the goal. It’s not going to happen that way. But, we will certainly keep fighting for that to make sure KBM is at the forefront and that we’ve got a place to go race trucks next year.”
“We want to win the championship, sure. But we don’t want to be done. We want to keep fighting.”
“The 50 employees that we have at KBM, I’m fighting, every day damn day, for all of that stuff and to make sure that we go forward.
Kyle Busch and team owner Joe Gibbs have awkward exchange (Video)
Links
Kyle Busch | Joe Gibbs Racing | Tyler Reddick | Richard Childress Racing | 23XI Racing | NASCAR
