NASCAR
Questions That Remain Ahead of 2023 NASCAR Season
As of this writing, the Busch Light Clash is just one month away. With the NASCAR offseason winding down fast, a lot of questions hang in the air before the 2023 racing season. Here are just a few of the unanswered items before cars arrive at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Will Safety Improvements work on the Next Gen car?
An unfortunate defining headline of 2022 NASCAR was driver injuries in the Next Gen car. Kurt Busch saw a career-ending crash and Alex Bowman missed half of the Playoffs due to concussions. In response to this, NASCAR has redesigned the rear clip on the Next Gen frame. Will this lead to a safer and less injury-prone car? This will be answered after a few major wrecks early in the 2023 season.
Will the Cup short track/road course package change?
The Next Gen car brought spectacular racing on intermediate speedways. However, the new design left more to be desired on short tracks and road courses. At Phoenix in November, NASCAR did say they are working on changes to the cars at these tracks. Will these updates be tested and implemented in 2023? We shall see, as last spring’s Martinsville race was lackluster to say the least.
What will television negotiations look like?
Off-track, 2023 will be a very pivotal year for NASCAR’s future broadcasting rights. Currently, FOX Sports and NBC are in negotiations to retain their rights. Other networks are also rumored to be interested though. As the months wear on, we will get a clearer picture of the next television deal for the sport’s future.
Will any team be dominant in year two of Next Gen?
Parity was the word of the year in 2022, with 19 different winners in 36 races. As a result, there was no one true dominant team or organization. Will that be the case in year two of this new car? Recent seasons have seen Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports be top dogs; will either of them or another team win a majority of the 2023 races? We should know this after a few months of racing.
Will any drivers retire?
Driver retirements have headlined several seasons dating back to Jeff Gordon’s 2015 swan song tour. Since 2020 however, we have yet to see a top driver choose to hang up their firesuit. A few high profile free agents could be calling it a career after 2023, so this may have some legs.
Who will be the Top Cup Rookie?
2023 will see the continuation of the 2022 Xfinity Series title fight in Cup. Champion Ty Gibbs and runner-up Noah Gragson will highlight the Rookie of the Year battle. Inheriting rides at Joe Gibbs Racing and Petty-GMS respectively, who will take top rookie honors? Can either of them become a winner in their first Cup season?
How will Jimmie Johnson fare in his return?
From rookies to a seven-time champ, Jimmie Johnson returns as a part-time driver for his new ownership stake in Petty-GMS. Just how will the 83-time winner fare in his select starts? Johnson failed to find victory lane over his last two-and-a-half seasons of full-time competition. Likewise, an 84th win is a steep uphill battle for the legend who’s also never driven a Next Gen car. Regardless, there is a chance to see Johnson tie Waltrip and Allison for fourth-winningest driver in NASCAR history.
Who will step up in Xfinity talent gap?
With Gibbs, Gragson, and AJ Allmendinger all gone from Xfinity, this series has a great talent gap. This trio were responsible for 20 wins last season. Who will take up the mantle in 2023 and fill their spot in victory lane? Xfinity will certainly look different now that more names are to be made.
Will North Wilkesboro be a success?
A fan-favorite schedule move, the 2023 All-Star Race will mark the first NASCAR trip to North Wilkesboro Speedway since 1996. Being such an aged surface and tight short track, will this historic grassroots facility lead to a good on-track product? Will we see trading paint or a train race? The Next Gen car’s short track package leaves this to be determined. May will reveal a lot about this track’s place in NASCAR’s future.
Will the Chicago Street Course work?
The other major Cup Series schedule change, nobody quite knows what we will see at the Chicago Street Course. On July 4th weekend, NASCAR will see its first-ever street race, with a lot of questions answered. Will it be a follow-the-leader parade, or a wreck-fest? One thing is for sure, this will be something historic that NASCAR’s never seen in 75 years.
How will Kyle Busch Perform at RCR?
By far the most high-profile silly season move is Kyle Busch going to Richard Childress Racing. Now in the No. 8 Chevrolet, how will the two-time champion perform? Busch has only won four times in the last three years, while the 8 won three times in 2022. This pairing has high aspirations for wins and championships, now it’s time to show what they can do together.
Will Keselowski, Truex return to victory lane?
While 2022 had a record-tying 19 winners, some past champs were left out of victory lane. 2012 champion Brad Keselowski failed to win in his first season co-owning RFK Racing. Likewise, 2017 champ Martin Truex Jr. went 0-36, missing the Playoffs by just three points. Can either multi-time winner find their way to glory again in 2023? Time will tell, as age is not on Truex’s side and RFK is still amidst rebuild mode.
Who will step up at JGR in Busch’s absence?
With Kyle Busch no longer at Joe Gibbs Racing, the Toyota powerhouse has a massive talent void. An unproven rookie takes Busch’s roster spot. Can any of their three other veterans come close to taking Busch’s place as a leader, winner, and force in the company? JGR left one of the all-time greatest drivers walk away, will this lead to short-term struggles within their walls?
Will Hendrick return to the top?
2021 was yet another banner year for Hendrick Motorsports, but 2022 left some to be desired. Despite all four of their drivers winning into the Playoffs, HMS came up short of another championship. Will 2023 see a return to 2021-style Hendrick dominance? All four of their drivers appear poised for title contention ahead of this season.
Can Trackhouse back up their amazing 2022?
By far the most impressive team of 2022 was Trackhouse Racing. The second-year team saw both drivers earn their first Cup win. On top of that, Ross Chastain made it to the Championship 4, finishing second in points. Now very aware of the heights they can achieve, could Trackhouse be more dangerous in 2023? Expect a chance at multiple wins for both Chastain and Daniel Suarez.
Will 23XI Racing be championship contenders?
At the cost of Kurt Busch’s untimely retirement, 23XI Racing gains Tyler Reddick in the No. 45. Paired with Bubba Wallace, can this team make a first true run at a championship? Reddick appears on the cusp of superstardom, winning three times in 2022. Wallace also had his best season yet, with 10 top-10s and a Kansas win. On paper, this team should be favored for many winning chances across 2023. However, it will come down to a matter of luck for both drivers to fight for the title.
Will 2022 rookies see a sophomore slump?
2022 saw a talented trio compete for Rookie of the Year honors: Austin Cindric, Harrison Burton, and Todd Gilliland. While Cindric put together one of the best rookie campaigns in recent NASCAR memory, the other two had fewer successes. All three of them enter 2023 as experienced Cup drivers now, and hope to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. Cindric could have a breakout year, potentially earning multiple checkered flags.
How will Cole Custer perform in Xfinity return?
Being moved back to Xfinity after two lackluster Cup seasons, Cole Custer has a chip on his shoulder. His last full-time Xfinity season saw seven wins, can Custer perhaps top that mark? The 00 should be a front running car more weeks than not. Custer’s experience should also pay dividends in finding victory lane.
Will Thorsport move help Hailie Deegan?
Two-time Truck Series Most Popular Driver Hailie Deegan makes an offseason switch to Thorsport Racing. Moving to a team that measures success in wins and championships, can Deegan become a more front-running presence? Her teammates Ben Rhodes and Matt Crafton are two of the most experienced and successful truckers today. With this much veteran assistance within her team, a step forward should be expected for the California driver.
Can KBM perform with all new look?
2023 will end the offseason with the most change in Kyle Busch Motorsports history. The Truck Series’ winningest team, KBM shifts from Toyota to Chevrolet power, and downsizes to two full-time teams. Chase Purdy is in the No. 4 as a largely unproven talent, and the 51 features a revolving door. Can this team’s culture of success and on-track dominance remain? Their lineup features young drivers who all have yet to win. 2023 is the biggest unknown of a season yet for this organization.
Will 2024 schedule see any new tracks?
2023 features two new venues for the Cup Series: North Wilkesboro and the Chicago Street Course. Continuing a three-year trend of adding new tracks, what does 2024 have in store? This question may not be answered until late summer, typically when the new Cup Series schedule is released. Based on the success of the North Wilkesboro All-Star Race, it will be interesting to see if this historic landmark gets a points-paying date.
Will Cup see multiple first-time winners again?
2022 will be remembered as a record-tying season with five first-time Cup winners. Can 2023 perhaps live up to this trend? No fewer than eight full-time drivers will start the Daytona 500 without a Cup victory. If we see a few new faces in victory lane, then the Playoff bubble drama for everyone else will be can’t-miss entertainment.
Will an oval rain race happen?
Announced in December, NASCAR will utilize rain tires on select short ovals for 2023. While stock cars will not race in active rain or standing water, they should be able to compete in damp conditions on short, flatter tracks. Will we see a historic first rain oval race? Only nature will determine this, as it could happen at the Clash, Martinsville, Richmond, Phoenix, New Hampshire, or North Wilkesboro.
2023’s racing season is almost here, and with it will come the answers to these and many more questions. After an amazing 2022 season, 2023 can only build upon it and hope to deliver in similar fashion. The countdown is on for the Busch Light Clash, as February is fast-approaching.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Sean Gardner/Getty Images for NASCAR
