NASCAR
Major Cup Series Silly Season Moves Ahead of 2023
To say that 2022’s version of NASCAR silly season was volatile would be an understatement. Two past champions have vacated their seats at Toyota, bringing in highly-touted youth talent to fill their spaces. The forthcoming rookie battle can also be an all-time great one; the top two from last season’s Xfinity championship make the jump to Sunday. NASCAR’s all-time winningest road course talent also gets a second shot at a full-time Cup campaign, in the prime of his career. Lastly, a blue collar racer gets the chance of a lifetime with a championship-caliber team after betting on himself. Here’s a look at each of these silly season changes, as the 2023 racing season draws nearer.
Busch Brothers Create Toyota Opportunities for Young Drivers
2022 was a trying year for both Kurt and Kyle Busch. Despite each winning once, off-track issues plagued most of the season for both Las Vegas natives. Kyle Busch saw the unknowns of contract drama define his 2022, not finalizing a 2023 deal until September. This cloud of future uncertainties swirling around the two-time champion for a majority of the season prevented Kyle from performing at his peak. As a result of this, Kyle only grabbed one win, with a big dose of luck at Bristol Dirt in April.
Kyle Busch’s No. 18 M&M’s Halloween Toyota Camry before the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, October 30. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
For Kurt meanwhile, a Pocono qualifying crash and subsequent concussion ended his full-time career. Regardless of his early-season win at Kansas, Busch has not made a single start since this July crash. The last 20 weeks of the season saw Ty Gibbs and Daniel Hemric substitute drive for the injured Busch.
Kurt Busch’s No. 45 Monster Energy Toyota Camry before the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, June 26. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Kyle moves on from Joe Gibbs Racing, his home for the past 15 years, to go to Richard Childress Racing. Busch is replacing Tyler Reddick in the No. 8 Chevrolet, who will fill the gap left by Kurt Busch in the 23XI Racing No. 45.
Tyler Reddick’s No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet Camaro before the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, October 30. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
The opening left at JGR by Kyle leaving will go to Ty Gibbs, the current Xfinity Series champion. However, the famed No. 18 Toyota will be rebranded into a No. 54 Toyota for Gibbs’ rookie season. This will match the car number Gibbs drove to all 11 of his Xfinity triumphs over the past two years, including his championship win in Phoenix.
Ty Gibbs’ No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota GR Supra before the Xfinity Series Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval on Saturday, October 8. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Gragson Gets Called Up to the Big Show
After having an Xfinity season for the ages, Noah Gragson will have a rookie Cup campaign himself with Petty GMS Racing. Gragson replaces Ty Dillon in the No. 42 Chevrolet. The younger Dillon moves to the Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet, marking the first full-time driver in this seat. The top two in the 2022 Xfinity Series, Gragson and Gibbs could be a Rookie of the Year battle for the ages.
Petty GMS Racing as a whole will be a very interesting team for 2023. Erik Jones certainly came into his own in the famed No. 43 ride, highlighted by the Southern 500 win. In addition, Jimmie Johnson making starts for this team as a co-owner will also be fun to see. Gragson, an eight-time winner in Xfinity last year, should also show promise in the 42.
Ty Dillon’s No. 42 Black Rifle Coffee Company Chevrolet Camaro before the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 24. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Preece Gets Promoted from Sidelines to Stewart-Haas
The No. 41 Mustang at Stewart-Haas Racing will also have a new pilot for 2023. Ryan Preece will take this seat from Cole Custer. Custer will remain in the Ford organization though, as he will drop back to the Xfinity Series. Preece gets this seat from being an SHR reserve driver in 2022, as he ran part-time in all three series. With three seasons of prior full-time Cup experience, the Connecticut native may be poised to win races in the new year.
Cole Custer’s No. 41 Haas Automation Ford Mustang before the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, October 30. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Rejuvenated Allmendinger is Also Back
Spending the last two seasons in Xfinity with Kaulig Racing, AJ Allmendinger moves back to Cup with this team. Winning both regular season titles and 10 races in this time, Allmendinger is now the winningest all-time NASCAR road course racer. After the No. 16 Cup car was split between Allmendinger and others in 2022, AJ gets this car to himself for 2023.
With the highly-anticipated debut of the Chicago Street Race next summer, many are already pointing to Allmendinger as a favorite for this win. As one of very few in NASCAR with any road racing experience, AJ is seen as a preseason shoe-in for at least one road course win in 2023.
AJ Allmendinger’s No. 16 Action Industries Chevrolet Camaro before the Bank of America Roval 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval on Sunday, October 9. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Between the Toyota seat turnover triggered by the Busch brothers and the Rookie of the Year battle, 2023 has seen great silly season movement. The most unexpected move was the separation of Kyle Busch and JGR. No more M&M’s 18 car and likewise Busch in the No. 8 will definitely take awhile to get used to. With Gibbs and Gragson each joining the Cup Series as well, Sunday’s roster gets a fresh crop of young talent and personality that is sure to entertain. Thanks to a turbulent silly season, 2023 is already full of storylines to watch out for. This comes even with the calendar having yet to switch into the new year.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR
