Busch told reporters last week he hoped to make a decision within a week, but there was no deadline.Getty Images
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch is evaluating several offers to leave Joe Gibbs Racing next year, and the two favorites to land him are Richard Childress Racing and 23XI Racing, sources say. Busch has publicly acknowledged in recent weeks that he has offers from a handful of teams, and leaving JGR would have significant implications for him and the series. Teams reportedly in talks with him over next year include RCR, 23XI, Kaulig Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing, but sources have identified RCR and 23XI as current favourites. Busch told reporters last week he hoped to make a decision within a week, but there was no deadline. If Busch joined the two-car RCR, it’s unclear whether it would be to start a third car or to buy out Tyler Reddick, the team’s No.8 driver who recently announced he would be leaving the team after the 2023 season. If Busch joins the two-car 23XI, it’s also unclear whether it would be to start a third team or to replace his brother Kurt Busch, who has a contract until 2023 but has been out of competition for several weeks. with concussion issues. Kurt Busch’s absence has led to industry speculation that his return in 2023 is not guaranteed, although a person familiar with the situation told SBJ that he intends to return. next year unless medically cleared. Potential sponsorship plans from either team for Kyle Busch have yet to be learned.
WOULD BE A NOTABLE DIVORCE: Kyle Busch has been with JGR most of his career and is one of the most recognizable and highest paid drivers in the sport, but JGR was apparently unable to find a suitable replacement for M&M’s with his endorsement deal $25 million annual ending after this year. As a result, JGR began evaluating the idea of placing Ty Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, in Busch’s No. 18 Toyota if Busch left. JGR and Busch have yet to confirm that he will not return, but sources consider a return to JGR unlikely. Ditching Busch for Ty Gibbs would save JGR around $10 million in annual salary. It would be a big saving for the team after losing such a big sponsorship. JGR and Toyota executives have publicly expressed how difficult it was to find sponsorship for Busch. This comes at a time when teams are playing politics to get a bigger slice of the next TV deal, as they feel teams must have become too reliant on sponsorship.